Liverpool ‘preparing to sell’ striker Luis Suarez in January with Arsenal and Real Madrid ready to swoop

Suarez walks off the pitch at the end of the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador

Liverpool are preparing to sell striker Luis Suarez for £50million when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Reports suggest the hierarchy at Anfield fear the Uruguay international is still desperate to leave Merseyside at the earliest opportunity.

Suarez was desperate to join a Champions League club in the summer and was angered when Liverpool refused to sell.

However, it is understood Suarez still hankers for a move away with Arsenal readying another bid and Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid also monitoring developments.

That has upset the owners, who stood by the 26-year-old forward following his disciplinary problems following well-documented incidents with Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra and Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Liverpool bought Suarez from Ajax for £22.7m in January 2011 and his deal does not expire until 2016.

But management do not want the club turned into a sideshow once again with Suarez itching to move and undoing the superb work being carried out by manager Brendan Rodgers as he transforms the club’s fortunes.

Reports add that Liverpool are reluctantly looking for a replacement for Suarez and will hope to make enough profit to strengthen their defence as well as they chase a top four finish in the Premier League.

Adapted from The Metro