Liverpool: How much is Luis Suarez worth?
It has been revealed that Liverpool have knocked back a sensational £30 million offer from Arsenal for their star, but want-away, striker Luis Suarez. The Gunners are the first side to test the Anfield board's resistance with a cheeky offer, but how much is the controversial Uruguay international worth?
Suarez, who has courted controversy during his spell on Merseyside, has done his best to make his position at the club untenable. Despite sticking by him during the ill-fated racial incident with Manchester United's Patrice Evra, not to mention the recent biting charge against Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovice, Suarez has criticised the club for not defending him and it looks as though Suarez is trying his utmost to engineer a move away from Anfield.
He has been linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Manchester City and it's easy to see why. Suarez is a phenomenal player. He can score goals from absolutely nothing and gets the fans off their feet every time he gets the ball. Suarez netted 23 Premier League goals for the Reds last season and was in contention to win the PFA Player of the Year award before he sunk his fangs into the arm of Ivanovic.
However, Suarez's over-the-top theatrics also get the fans' blood boiling. His eagerness to go down under the slightest challenge is embarrassing for a man of his talent and many would love to see the back of him from these shores. But for every pathetic attempt at winning a penalty, there's a moment of sublime skill like the brilliant take down and tap in he produced last season against Newcastle.
The Uruguay international is simply a handful for defenders and officials. Whether he's dancing round centre-backs or forcing referees into making debatable decisions, Suarez is never too far away from the headlines.
Liverpool paid £22.8 million for the hitman in the January transfer window of 2011 and helped the fans forget all about £50 million man Fernando Torres. Suarez has grabbed 51 goals in 96 appearances for the Reds with 24 assists to his name. But how does he compare with Liverpool's former hero Torres? The Spaniard arrived in 2007 and became the fastest player in Liverpool's history to reach 50 goals. In three-and-a-half-years, Torres scored 81 times in 142 games. Suarez looks as though he could smash that target, especially with the likes of Gerrard, Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling delivering him guilt-edge chances on a plate. So is Suarez worth more than £50 million?
Brendan Rodgers is planning for the new campaign with Suarez at the heart of his plans. The Reds are determined to gatecrash the top four this season - and their chances would be greatly boosted with Suarez in their side. However, the money that they could potentially receive for the controversial figure may allow Rodgers to strengthen his overall squad even further.
So we've weighed up the pros and the cons of Suarez, but how much would you be willing to accept in order to let him leave Anfield?
Calling all Liverpool fans: How much would you be happy to receive for Suarez to let him leave? If you were in the manager's shoes, would you prevent Suarez from leaving or cash in on your star man this summer? Can Liverpool be as effective without Suarez? Who do you think Suarez will be playing for come the close of the transfer window? Whatever your views, we'd love to hear from you.
Calling all Arsenal fans: Would you be happy to see Suarez at the Emirates? How much would you be happy to see Wenger part with in order to bring him to north London? Whatever your views, we'd love to hear from you.
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