ARSENAL expect Luis Suarez to tell Liverpool he wants to leave and so force through a move to the Emirates.
Their audacious bid of 40million plus 1 for the striker was rejected by the Reds on Tuesday night.
And Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said yesterday: “If Arsenal want the player, then they have to produce the value for the player.”
But the Gunners are convinced Suarez is determined to leave for Champions League football.
And they believe their bid has triggered a 40m clause in the 26-year-old s contract which gives them the right to talk to him.
But Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger s main concern is that the Uruguayan would prefer a move to Real Madrid.
But his bold move has trumped the Spanish giants who were planning to wait until the end of the transfer window and then come in with a 25m offer.
They will now have to at least match the 40m bid.
Real s bank balance will be swelled by 34.5m when the sale of Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli goes ahead.
But they are also considering a world record 80m move for Gareth Bale and are unlikely to be able to afford both players.
Liverpool insist the 40m clause in Suarez s contract only means they are obliged to tell him of any offer.
But the player is due to meet with Rodgers to discuss the situation and is expected to confirm his desire to leave.
Higuain is undergoing a medical at Napoli — along with Pepe Reina.
The Liverpool keeper is on the verge of teaming up again with former Kop boss Rafa Benitez on a season-long loan.