Liverpool in 'intense' Luis Suarez transfer battle as Reds given $66M hope

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Liverpool is reportedly ready to go head-to-head with Newcastle for the signing of Luis Suarez, with the Reds potentially looking to bolster their striking options in the summer transfer window

Arne Slot could look to sign Luis Suarez(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media, Getty Images)

Liverpool is reportedly keen on signing Luis Suarez and is ready to go toe-to-toe with Newcastle in a transfer battle, as per a report.

The Reds splashed over half a billion dollars last summer, with a large chunk of that spent on British transfer record signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. However, Liverpool is reportedly looking to further strengthen its attacking line-up in the summer.

Isak has been absent for the second half of the season after breaking his leg against Tottenham back in December, leaving Hugo Ekitike to shoulder the responsibility of leading Liverpool's frontline in his debut season in England.

However, the Reds might set their sights on Sporting CP striker Luis Suarez after the 28-year-old has proven to be an excellent replacement for Viktor Gyokeres in the Portuguese capital, reports the Daily Star.

The Sporting forward, not to be mistaken with the former Liverpool and Uruguay striker of the same name, is enjoying the season of his career since his move from Almeria last summer.

Suarez has scored 33 goals and provided seven assists in just 42 games, establishing himself as one of Europe's most coveted forwards.

Liverpool is reportedly battling to sign Sporting CP's Luis Suarez(Image: Gualter Fatia, Getty Images)

Portuguese publication Correio da Manha reports that Liverpool and Newcastle are showing 'intense interest' in Suarez, who remains contracted to the Lisbon club until 2030 and has a release clause of around £70 million ($92M).

There's reportedly a widespread belief at the club that it's simply a matter of when Suarez will follow in the footsteps of the man he replaced by making the move to the Premier League.

While the Reds might be reluctant to part with that kind of money for a player nearing his thirties, there are suggestions Sporting could consider an offer closer to £50M ($66M). That said, if Arsenal's persistent pursuit of Gyokeres is anything to go by, expect Sporting to negotiate firmly.

Sporting delayed Arsenal's attempt to sign Gyokeres and the Swedish striker even downed tools in an effort to force their hand.

Suarez is proving to be a late developer after his form skyrocketed over the past 18 months. Sporting took a gamble on the former Watford man after he netted 27 goals in the Spanish second division last year – only the third time in his career he reached double figures in a season before this current campaign – and all three of those seasons were outside of Spain's top flight.

Last summer, Liverpool competed with Newcastle in the striker market, signing Isak and securing Ekitike from under its noses. The Magpies chose to sign Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa instead, but both have struggled to hit top form.