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Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are "on standby" to sign Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and admits transfer business has been tougher than usual this summer.

Suarez claims Liverpool promised him he could leave if they failed to qualify for the Champions League.

The Gunners have have two bids rejected for Suarez, with the latest offer being a pound more than £40m, in an attempt to trigger a release clause.

"At the moment the situation is on standby," Wenger told

"I really don't know what will be decided by Liverpool.

"I don't know what has been said, what has been promised and what has been written. That is the story between Suarez and Liverpool.

"Only Suarez and Liverpool can decide that. It's nothing to do us. We have been told the player wants to leave Liverpool and that's why we've acted.

"We try and get what we want, if that doesn't work we will look somewhere else."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers previously stated that Arsenal's offer for the Uruguay international remains well short of Liverpool's valuation.

Suarez, from Ajax for £22.7m and signed a long-term contract extension in August 2012, scored 30 goals in 44 appearances for the Reds last season.

Wenger admits transfer activity at the Emirates Stadium has been "slow" this summer with targets such as Suarez difficult to prise away.

And the Frenchman urged the Gunners' supporters to remain patient as the club attempt to strengthen before the transfer window closes.

"The clubs with talented players don't want to lose them," added the Arsenal manager.

"Some clubs acted very early so the choices were reduced and there is more competition coming from France with Paris St-Germain, who buy big players for huge amounts of money, so it's tough, difficult and slow.

"I can assure the fans we will try very hard to keep them happy. We are certainly ready to spend the money, but the process is going slowly but surely."