Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger given £40m budget for Luis Suarez, Liverpool want £55m

Arsenal have told Arsene Wenger they are prepared to spend £40m to bring Luis Suarez to the Emirates – but Liverpool will demand £55m for their striker.

After having a £30m bd rejected by the Anfield club, Wenger has had a frustrating wait while the club decided whether to sanction a higher bid for the Uruguay international.

According to reports in the Daily Mail, the Gunners now plan to launch a £40m bid, which Suarez’s agent, Pere Guardiola, believes activates a release clause in his contract.

But The Sun reports that Liverpool believe they can hold out for a fee of £55m for Suarez.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said: “When you consider Edinson Cavani has gone for £55m, Luis is up there in that bracket of top talent.”