LONDON, July 3- Alexis Sanchez is ready to throw a spanner in the works of Barcelona’s attempts to sign Luis Suarez by refusing to join Liverpool.
Barca are keen to use the Chile international as a makeweight in their pursuit of Suarez – but Sanchez is understood to prefer a move to rivals Arsenal.
And Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is set to grant the South American his wish by launching a move for the attacking midfielder.
Barca officials have arrived in London to start formal talks with Liverpool over their interest in Suarez.
Liverpool, who are interested in Sanchez, want £80million for Suarez this summer.
The Catalan club are prepared to use Sanchez, who is valued at £30m, as a sweetener in their offer for Suarez.
But Sanchez looks likely to snub a move to Anfield, with his heart set on a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
That means only a straight cash deal for Suarez is likely to be enough to persuade Liverpool to sees their prolific striker.
Sources close to Sanchez have indicated that the 25-year-old would prefer a move to London, leaving Arsenal in pole position to land the talented forward.
Barca chiefs yesterday ramped up their interest in Suarez by making the astonishing move of praising the Liverpool striker following his biting controversy.
Barca chiefs are fully aware that the potential capture of Suarez could be viewed as a massive PR own goal given the furore surrounding the South American.
And the Catalan giants’ took the unexpected step of praising Suarez for Monday’s public apology to bite victim Giorgio Chiellini.
It is understood Barca chiefs encouraged Suarez, who initially denied biting the Italy defender, to make the apology behind the scenes in an attempt to improve his public image in Spain.
-Daily Mail
