---
title: "Liverpool Desperate To Close The Deal At £18M"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-desperate-to-close-the-deal-at-18m/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Matt Visser"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2011-01-20T20:24:00Z"
modified: "2011-01-20T22:58:40Z"
---

# Liverpool Desperate To Close The Deal At £18M

[![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Luis-Suarez-150x150.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/2010/09/premiership/spurs-will-have-to-inxs-of-20m-to-snatch-ajax-striker-from-rivals/attachment/luis-suarez/)Reports coming from Amsterdam are suggesting that Liverpool are on the verge of securing the signature of Uruguayan World Cup star Luis Suarez for a fee of around £18million.

Cash strapped Ajax are said to want £26million for their talismanic striker, but may be forced to sell below their asking price as the 23-year-old is said to be desperate to join up with Liverpool’s Fernando Torres.

Liverpool have tried to include former Ajax front-man Ryan Babel in the deal as a £6million make-weight. However, the Dutch outfit are said to be holding out for a cash deal to maximise their profit.

The Uruguayan netted a stunning 49 times last season, adding to his immaculate record of 110 goals in just 154 appearances. A host of clubs have been interested in the striker’s services, with Liverpool emerging as frontrunners on what would be quite a coup.

However, Ajax midfielder Demy de Zeeuw would like to believe that Suarez will stay in Holland until the end of the season.

***“I think he stays at Ajax. When you know Luis, you know he only wants to go to a real big club. He could have left Ajax so many times already in the past.”*** de Zeeuw told *Goal.com*.

***“Do I rate Liverpool as a big club? Of course Liverpool is a big club. But I don’t know if Luis wants to go there. We hear a lot of reports, but he didn’t say he wants to join Liverpool yet. I didn’t ask him.***

***“It’s not my business. It’s his choice. We only can hope that he is staying and say goodbye at the end of the season with a price and a proud feeling.”***

***[![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Sale-Banner8-500x155.jpg)](https://footballtavern.shotdeadinthehead.com/Default.aspx?cat=46)\***

Should Liverpool get their man, it would certainly be a statement of intent from the Merseyside club. Liverpool have had a torrid season and are said to be looking to rebuild under new boss Kenny Dalglish. The Reds have also been linked with a loan move for former player, Stephen Warnock, who return to Anfield until the end of the season on loan with a proposed option to buy.

## Follow Matt Visser on Twitter [@Matt\_V\_Football.](https://twitter.com/#!/Matt_V_football)