Wednesday, 14th August, 2013
Arsenal have been dealt the final nail in the coffin that was the pursuit of Luis Suarez as the Uruguayan has pledged his future to Liverpool.
The Gunners were understood to be resigning themselves to the fact that they were not going to be able to afford Suarez's services despite two previous bids.
Liverpool's leadership had been steadfast that Suarez would only leave for a reported £50m, even as the player was almost pleading to be let go.
Suarez had even claimed, at one point in time, that he was looking to leave England because of alleged 'unfair' treatment from the media.
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However, in a complete reversal of intent, Suarez told Uruguayan newspaper El Observador: "For now, because of all the affection of the people, I will be staying [at Liverpool]."
The statement came all the way from Japan where Uruguay are due to play their friendly later today.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers had been incensed at Suarez's request to be released in order to play for a team that competes in the Champions League.
Suarez had been sent off to train on his own whilst at Liverpool, even though he had already made a substitute appearance in a pre-season friendly earlier this summer.
Real Madrid had been the other high-profile suitors for Suarez, but their interest never materialised into a formal bid.
Arsenal, therefore, had seized their chance to make two offers, one of which was designed to provoke Liverpool into letting Suarez know he was a wanted man, with a £40m plus £1 bid.
Suarez's change of heart means a contract extension could now follow, perhaps with a clearer release clause, with his current deal set to expire in 2018.
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