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LONDON. — Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal still want to sign Luis Suarez from fellow English Premiership soccer side Liverpool.
Wenger yesterday refused though to be drawn on the details of Arsenal’s bid, insisting he wants to keep negotiations with Liverpool “amicable”. The Gunners are yet to land a big-name summer signing, despite chief executive Ivan Gazidis saying Wenger has “financial firepower” in the summer window.
Arsenal were linked with Gonzalo Higuain but he opted to join Napoli — Arsenal’s Emirates Cup opponents today — from Real Madrid.
Wenger has made two bids for Suarez — the second being £40million plus £1, which was intended to trigger a clause that would allow them to discuss terms with the Uruguayan.
Liverpool insist that they intend to keep hold of the striker, who joined up with Brendan Rodgers’ squad on the tour of Australia.
Wenger said: “I don’t want to speak about Suarez, because that is between Liverpool and Arsenal. We will completely respect what Liverpool wants to do. We want to (sign the player) if it is feasible in an amicable way.
“I am a great believer you have to keep as much confidentiality as possible, which is quite difficult in the modern world.
“But we work very hard, not only on the case you name, but on other different cases.”
Suarez is serving a domestic 10-game ban imposed by the FA for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and he has previously served an eight-match suspension for racially abusing Patrice Evra.
Wenger said that if Suarez does become an Arsenal player, such behaviour will not be tolerated.
He said: “We have values that we want our players to respect. No matter where they come from, we will be very touchy on that of course.
“This club has built a reputation, not only during my period here but over 127 years, and the values that are very important for this club have to be respected by every player, no matter where he comes from. That will be with every potential signing.”
Wenger had risked the wrath of Arsenal fans by claiming ealier that he does not need to buy this summer.
The north Londoners have yet to land a major signing in the current window and frustrated Gooners are getting fed up with Wenger not dipping into his £70million transfer kitty.
Wenger insists he is happy to start the new season with his current squad if Arsenal cannot complete the signing of Suarez.
The Liverpool striker remains the Gunners’ main transfer target and the north London club are still hopeful of landing the Uruguayan this summer.
In fact, Arsenal are still targeting new players, following the remarks made by chief executive Ivan Gazidis who claims the club are in a position to make the most of their “new financial firepower”.
Those who have been targeted by Wenger this summer include Higuain, Suarez, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney. Higuain has already left Real Madrid for Italian side Napoli, while the other three are still at Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United respectively.
After numerous public declarations insisting this would be the year Arsenal would finally spend heavily in the transfer market, the signing of Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer remains the club’s only piece of business.
And Wenger has hinted he is happy to start the campaign with his current group.
Wenger, in an online Q&A session with Arsenal fans, claimed he has faith in his home-grown youngsters.
Wenger said: “We are still working on improving our squad, but we have a basis of young players who are getting a chance here, who started in the Premier League.
“Wojciech Szczesny, Carl Jenkinson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott.
“They are all players who started in the Premier League with us. No-one else has done that.
“Look at our competitors. Who has started for them in the Premier League in the last 10 years?
“I believe all of those players have a special bond and are on the way up – they are not over the hill. They will be better next season and that’s why I’m confident we will be stronger.
“We had a fantastic end of the season, especially the last 10 games when we won eight and drew two; and for the first time in recent years we have not lost any players. — Sky Sports-The Mirror.
Online Reporter