• Football

Liverpool turn to Soldado as Suarez replacement

ESPN staff
July 26, 2013
Roberto Soldado would be a perfect replacement for want-away striker Luis Suarez © PA Photos
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Liverpool are reported to be poised to make a move on Spurs target Roberto Soldado as a likely replacement for Luis Suarez.

With Tottenham showing reluctance to meet Valencia's asking price of £26 million, the Mirror claims that Liverpool are close to resigned that Suarez will leave and are trying to line-up his successor as quickly as possible.

Suarez has told Liverpool he wants his future resolved within the next few days and is widely reported to have held heated discussions with Brendan Rogers after Arsenal's £40 million bid was rebuffed.

Rogers has maintained that Suarez will not move for less than £50 million but the player's agents claim that there was an agreement that any bid of over £35 million would be considered.

"He is under contract but I haven't even thought about him putting a request in writing," Rodgers said.

"It's like anything: unless a player tells you he really wants to go, only then do you have to look at it.

"But it is a situation we are in control of because he has three years left on his contract. Unless something changes or there is an offer which is heavily increased, he is still very much a Liverpool player.

"The owners have been brilliant throughout this process. The board and club has stayed very strong, it is very simple. We don't want to sell one of our best players.

"It is difficult for Luis, I understand that. If a team wants you, it can be difficult.

"I am not sure many teams will have done what we have done in the last couple of games (playing in front of massive crowds in Indonesia and Australia). I am sure Luis will have seen the sheer size and status of the club, so we'll just see how it goes. It is not something we want to run on too long.

"I know what we are trying to build, so why would you swap Liverpool to go to Arsenal? I am not sure that it adds up to be honest. Arsenal have a wonderful history in their own right but Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"We are not in the Champions League and haven't been for a while and we have to step up to the challenge now."

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