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Liverpool have made Roberto Soldado their number one target to replace Luis Suarez, writes John Cross in Saitama and Darren Lewis.

The Reds are in a straight fight with dithering Spurs for Valencia’s £26million man as angry Suarez edges closer to a move to Arsenal. Liverpool have not yet made a bid to the Spain international’s club Valencia, but they are being helped by Spurs’ reluctance so far to meet his £26million asking price.

As reported by Mirror Sport, Spurs sent Technical Director Franco Baldini to Spain for talks over a £22million bid earlier this week but that was rejected.

Financially stricken Valencia want a deal done by August 3 for tax reasons.

Meanwhile, Suarez has told Liverpool he wants his future resolved in the next 48 hours.

The furious Uruguay striker held face-to-face talks with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers yesterday after the club tried to block his £40million move to Arsenal.

Suarez made it clear to Rodgers, who is sticking by his £50m valuation, that he wants to leave Anfield and is keen to talk to Arsenal.

The 26-year-old claims his agent Pere Guardiola was told by the club that he would be allowed to negotiate a move if an offer was made of more than £35m - irrespective of the clause in his contract.

And Suarez, who flew with the rest of the Liverpool squad from Australia to Thailand, is understood to have voiced his frustration at Arsene Wenger’s £40,000,001 bid being rejected.

The player is allowed to conduct talks with Arsenal and his advisers may consult lawyers if the dispute over his contract turns ugly.

(Image: Getty)

However, Liverpool have been surprised by his desire to move to another Premier League club after claiming earlier in the season he wanted to leave England following bans for using a racist remark against Patrice Evra and biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Suarez told Rodgers he still likes Liverpool, but simply wants to play for a club in the Champions League and Arsenal appear to be the only club in the running after Real Madrid let it be known they are no longer interested.

Suarez will be offered a five year deal worth £150,000-a-week but Wenger will still have money to spend on other players having trimmed the wage bill.

He maintains an interest in Marouane Fellaini but others deals may yet depend on Suarez as they look to get their first big one over the line as a sign of intent.