The wantaway Liverpool striker has confided in the former Everton man over housing and schools in the capital after telling the Anfield outfit of his intention to leave
SUAREZ IN LONDON HOUSE-HUNT WITH A VIEW TO ARSENAL MOVELuis Suarez told Liverpool earlier this week that he wants to leave the club and join Arsenal this summer.
The Sweeper can reveal that the Uruguayan has now begun looking for houses and schools in London.
It is understood that the father-of-one has spoken on the phone to Arsenal vice-captain and fellow Spanish speaker Mikel Arteta about both where his family would live were they to relocate to the capital and possible schools for his young daughter, Delfina.
Arteta is highly regarded at Arsenal for his leadership skills and vocal dressing-room presence and is expected to lead the team in the opening two months of the new season in the absence of the injured Thomas Vermaelen.
His conversations with Suarez demonstrate the Uruguayan’s growing desire to leave Anfield and become Arsenal’s club-record signing.
As revealed by Goal, the Gunners lodged a second formal bid for the striker on Monday, believed to be worth £42 million including add-ons.
Liverpool insist that Suarez is not for sale and have let it be known to the player’s camp that he would have to lodge an official transfer request in writing in order to leave Merseyside. Sources have said that the forward is ready do so as he steps up his plans to remove one of the obstacles to his exit.
Arsenal believe that they have been given enough encouragement from the Uruguayan’s representatives that he is keen to move to the Emirates Stadium and are increasingly confident that they can capture the 26-year-old, with no other club yet to make a bid for him.
However, any prospective deal has been muddied by the contents of a £40m clause in Suarez’s contract, which his advisers believe entitles him to ask for permission to speak to any club that matches the price.
But Liverpool claim they only have to inform Suarez and the clause does not oblige them to sell. There is the prospect that the player may take legal action to force through a move.
– Wayne Veysey
MANCHESTER UNITED TO USE MCILROY MEGA-DEAL IN NIKE NEGOTIATIONS
Manchester United will use golfer Rory Mcllroy’s recent £220m sponsorship tie-up with sportswear giants Nike to leverage against their next kit deal.
The Red Devils are desperate to open talks about a new long-term association, with the present deal set to expire in 2015, after 13 years as the club’s official supplier.
But sources have indicated that Nike are currently dragging their heels, with profits not as big as expected during the association.
United currently pocket around £25m a season and are looking for at least double that this time around.
The Old Trafford money-men were stunned by the huge amount McIlroy, a big United fan, was handed back in January, as part of a 10-year agreement. They will argue that Manchester United are a much bigger brand in terms of what they are worth.
– Paul Clennam
JULIO CESAR EYES LATEST ITALIAN JOB
Julio Cesar remains on QPR’s books after failing to land a move this summer, with Napoli, Arsenal and Roma all making concerted attempts to sign him.
But the Brazil No.1 is not expecting to play his football in the Championship next season and Fiorentina are the latest club to show an interest in buying him.
Rangers need to offload Cesar from their wage bill – he is believed to earn around £80,000-a-week – as they prepare for life in the second tier.
The west Londoners would settle for a loan deal but would prefer a permanent sale at their £1.5m valuation.
– Wayne Veysey