Gunners throw in centre-back plus cash in final attempt to land Suarez.
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Arsenal are prepared to offer Thomas Vermaelen as well as £45million for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, CaughtOffside can reveal.
The Gunners are hoping to capitalise on the uncertain future of Reds centre-back Daniel Agger, who is keen on a move away from Anfield this summer and who is a target for both Barcelona and Manchester City.
Vermaelen was not at his best for much of last season for Arsenal, appearing to suffer from a drop in confidence after taking the captain’s armband following Robin van Persie’s departure to Manchester United.
The Belgian’s future has been up in the air for much of the summer, as he seemed to attract some interest from the likes of Napoli, as well as being another defensive target for Barcelona.
With no offers coming in, the former Ajax man looked set to remain at the Emirates Stadium, but Arsene Wenger is now hoping to use him as part of a deal to land his main transfer target this summer.
Liverpool have so far rejected offers of £40million and above from the Gunners for their star player, but Wenger will be hoping their need for a defender can help push a deal through.
Agger’s future is by no means decided, but he has hinted that he would like a stab at the Champions League, which Liverpool are currently unable to offer him, and Barcelona’s interest is said to be growing after they had several big-money offers for Chelsea star David Luiz rejected.
It would be a massive blow for Brendan Rodgers to lose two key players, especially after some good work done so far in this summer’s transfer window, but the addition of Vermaelen would spare the former Swansea boss entering the market yet again for a new defender.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are under big pressure to complete a deal for Suarez, having missed out on several of their main targets this summer, with a move for Gonzalo Higuain falling through late on as the Real Madrid striker ended up signing for Napoli.
They also look to have missed out on Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo, who has all but signed for Wolsburg, according to reports in Germany.
The addition of a top goal-scorer like Suarez could be the missing link between Arsenal and silverware, as Wenger’s side’s improved defensive displays last season were marred only by the lack of a regular source of goals, as the likes of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud failed to adequately fill the boots of van Persie.
Vermaelen could link up with another former Arsenal player at Liverpool, with Kolo Toure moving to Anfield on a free transfer this summer from Manchester City.