The Sweeper: Arsenal made Suarez enquiry

The Gunners were knocked back
after approaching Liverpool
regarding the availability of their
Uruguayan striker while Manchester
City's pre-season preparations could
be disrupted
ARSENAL MADE SUAREZ ENQUIRY
Mystery surrounded a flurry of bets in
midweek on Luis Suarez heading to
Arsenal, with bookmakers hurriedly
slashing their odds and one even closing
their market.
The Sweeper understands that the run of
bets came after the Gunners made a
speculative enquiry to Liverpool about
the availability of the Uruguayan.
With the biggest transfer kitty in Arsenal's
history available to him this summer,
manager Arsene Wenger sanctioned the
shock move for Suarez.
But the north London club were knocked
back by Liverpool, who issued a 'hands-
off' warning as they fight to hold on to a
player who has spoken frequently this
summer of his interest in a move to Real
Madrid.
Wenger plans to use a warchest of up to
£100 million to make at least two
marquee signings this summer, most
likely in the striker and midfield positions.
The Suarez enquiry is believed to have
come before Arsenal made an improved
bid of €27m for Gonzalo Higuain , who is
closing in on a switch from Real Madrid to
Emirates Stadium.
However, it seems Wenger was
considering an alternative to prime
targets Higuain and Wayne Rooney as he
pushed for a proven, A-list striker who
could be available at a good price and
targeted the Liverpool hitman as a result.
The Suarez move is now on the
backburner, but the Arsenal boss is
pressing ahead with pursuing his interest
in top-level targets, with the likes of
Marouane Fellaini and Cesc Fabregas
understood to still be on his hit-list, as
well as Ashley Williams and Julio Cesar.
- Wayne Veysey
MAN CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR COULD BE
CANCELLED
The failing health of Nelson Mandela could
throw Manchester City's early pre-season
plans into doubt.
Manuel Pellegrini is scheduled to take his
new charges to South Africa in ten days
time to take part in the Nelson Mandela
Football Invitational.
But the South African government are
already at a high state of readiness should
the inspirational leader fail to win his
latest fight.
A national state of mourning would exist
and numerous events cancelled.
City are set to face Supersport United in
Pretoria on July 14th and AmaZulu FC in
Durban on the 18th. It's understood the
organisers will keep City in the loop.
- Paul Clennam
PARENTS WANT INCE TO STAY IN
NORTH-WEST
Tom Ince could be heading for south
Wales if two of his principal suitors,
Cardiff City and Swansea City, can secure
his signing this summer.
But the Blackpool winger is holding out
for a return to Liverpool, who have
reignited their interest in capturing their
former Academy graduate.
Ince's parents, including father Paul, his
manager at Bloomfield Road, are believed
to be particularly keen on their 21-year-
old son remaining in the north-west of
England and close to the family's Cheshire
home.
Former England international Paul will
have a big say in his son's final
destination, which he wants to be the
right move both personally and
professionally.