Luis Suarez... an Arsenal transfer target.

Liverpool have rejected a bid from Arsenal for Luis Suarez and remain steadfast in their insistence the striker is not for sale.

Reports yesterday said the Gunners made an offer in the region of €35 million for the Uruguay international last week which was rejected out of hand by the Reds.

Despite the 26-year-old this summer voicing his dislike of his treatment by the English media and suggesting a move to Real Madrid would appeal, the club have no intention of selling, a stance which was not even tested by an offer well below what is considered Suarez’s true value.

Suarez, who has three years remaining on an improved contract he signed last summer, is currently on extended leave after his involvement in the Confederations Cup.

Neither he nor his representatives have spoken to Liverpool about any intention to ask for a move but his comments while on international duty in South America have left the club in a difficult position.

It was expected any approach from Real Madrid would come after the end of the Confederations Cup but so far nothing has materialised and the fear is the Spanish giants will leave it late in the window in order to drive the price down.

Arsenal’s surprise bid may have been more strategic than realistic as they are currently trying to push through a deal to sign Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Making an offer for Suarez may have just been a ploy intended to focus the minds of Bernabeu officials on signing off the Higuain move.

Yesterday, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez dismissed speculation Higuain is about to join Arsenal by revealing the London club are yet to make an offer for the Argentina international.

Higuain, who told the media on the final day of the Primera Division season that he was going to leave in the summer, was reported to be on the verge of a move to the Emirates Stadium.

However, Perez insisted: “We don’t want Higuain to leave. What’s more no-one from Arsenal has come to us and made us any offers at all for him. There are no offers on the table.”

Meanwhile, Suarez is not due back for pre-season until July 22 and he will then be expected to join the club’s tour matches in Australia and Thailand.

The arrivals of Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Manchester City defender Kolo Toure, Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas and Sevilla midfielder Luis Alberto have provided a welcome boost at Anfield this summer after a seventh-place finish last season.

More signings are expected but it appears the club will have to forget about a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Although Liverpool are willing to pay Shakhtar’s €23 million asking price the Reds never had chance to speak to the player and he seems Borussia Dortmund-bound.