ARSENAL are set to smash the English transfer record by offering up to £51m for Luis Suarez.

Liverpool yesterday took a hardline approach with the Uruguay hitman, ordering him to train away from the first team.

They are furious at Suarez for his public outburst, where he claimed the Anfield side had broken their word – and breached his contract – by not letting him go.

He insisted Liverpool agreed to let him leave if they did not reach the Champions League and a bid over £40m came in.

Suarez also said he would take his case to the Premier League after the Gunners bid £40m plus a pound a fortnight ago, having initially offered £35m. But Starsport understands the Gunners are prepared to pay more than the £50m Liverpool received from Chelsea for Fernando Torres in January 2011.

Boss Arsene Wenger is well aware a wrangle over the wording of the contract is sure to involve lawyers and could run on for months – ensuring they do not get their man in this transfer window, which closes on September 2. Yesterday Wenger admitted the club’s pursuit of Suarez was on hold.

“At the moment the situation is on standby,” he said.

“I really don’t know what will be decided by Liverpool, that’s for sure.”

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, who is liaising between Suarez and Liverpool, revealed that if the issue was taken to the Premier League, the forward could remain on Merseyside.

He said: “These buy-out clauses have caused no end of problems in the past and continue to do so.

“He believes the £40m amount that is mentioned, if that is offered, gives him the right to go.

“Liverpool are saying that is a minimum figure from which they will consider negotiation and of course they will want to keep the player, unless they replace the player with someone as good or better, which is not going to be easy in a short period of time.

“There are different ways it can be interpreted. If it goes to the Premier League, it will take time and the window is then closed. It is a delicate situation.”

Liverpool are fighting to hang on to defender Daniel Agger after apparently receiving a £15m bid from Barcelona.

•Source: Daily Star, UK. •Photo shows in-demand Suarez.

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