Liverpool place £55m price tag on Suarez

Liverpool are braced for Real Madrid to return with a £45m bid for star striker Luis Suarez in January.

The Uruguay forward was desperate for a move to the La Liga giants in the summer but it did not materialise, thanks to Madrid's capture of Gareth Bale.

After forking out £86m for the Welshman they did not want to pay Liverpool's asking price of £55m for Suarez.

Liverpool would still demand the same fee in January and any potential transfer would depend on how the sides are performing by December.

Madrid may decide they do not need the striker if their form improves, while if Liverpool are still in a position to contend for the title, they will be more reluctant to sell Suarez.

The player is still keen on the idea of moving to Madrid - and his agent Pere Guardiola is also happy for him to do so.

If any potential transfer looks like happening, Arsenal may try and intervene - although Liverpool are not keen on selling to a domestic rival.

Arsene Wenger wanted to secure the striker's services in the summer but could not, instead splashing £42.5m on Mesut Ozil.