The Suarez Bid: Audacious or Pragmatic?

Is Suarez really wanted by Arsenal?

It has come as a shock to all of us. Arsenal have had a £30 million bid for Luis Suarez rejected. Where did that one come from?

There is no denying that Suarez is a player of unbelievable talent, indeed he showcased this last season by performing well above a player representing a side who finished seventh. However there had been no talk of the Uruguayan making the switch down south to London. Up until now it was believed that Real Madrid were the front runners for his signature and it is perhaps in that statement that we can solve this rather puzzling bid from the Gunners.

It is no secret that Gonzalo Higuain has emerged as Wenger's number one striking target. Many had hoped that any deal for the Argentinian would have been completed by now, allowing the Gunners to simultaneously unveil their new star tomorrow with the away kit for the coming season. However such a dream scenario for fans and the marketing department has not materialised.

So once again we come back to this bid for Luis Suarez. Rather than an audacious attempt by Wenger to lure one of the league's top performers to the Emirates, is this just Wenger demonstrating once again how shrewd and tactical he is in the transfer market. He knows that Suarez is a top target for Madrid and that perhaps by showing an interest in him he may hurry along any deal for Higuain.

If this is the case it is an exceedingly bold move.

Simply put while it does act as a threat to Perez and Madrid, it also shows Madrid that will have £30 million to spend. I would expect them now to turn round and say "okay you clearly have the money, now cough it up and Gonzalo is yours". Undoubtedly the dialogue between the two clubs maybe a bit more official than that.

So are we now finally able to understand the reasoning behind this bid.

I believe that Wenger wants Madrid to know he has the money. He wants them to stop stalling and setting up crisis talks between Ancelotti and Higuain, talks which would no doubt rumble on for ages. By bidding for Suarez he is showing them that he has the money now and he wants to spend it, but he is also showing Madrid that if they don't act now then their own target, Suarez, could be snapped up by other suitors - not just Arsenal.

It all points to one fact, that someone has leaked this Suarez for their own benefit. Who knows it may even have been Liverpool who leaked it? In the vain hope that this would spark Madrid into action and entice them into bidding over £30 million for the Uruguayan.

Whatever the source of the leak I think it is safe to safe that is highly unlikely we will see Suarez in an Arsenal shirt next season. Indeed we shouldn't forget that his reason for wanting to leave Liverpool is to escape the English press.

Many thanks,

Come on you Gooners!