Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Confident of Hijacking Liverpool's Chilean Target

Arsenal are reportedly confident of signing Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez, despite Liverpool being the favourites to sign the Chilean in a cash plus player deal for their striker Luis Suarez.

The Gunners have reportedly agreed a deal in principle with Sanchez, even though Barcelona are keen to see him move to Anfield in order to secure their move for Suarez.

Many reports claim that Suarez is close to completing a £70-80m switch to the Nou Camp within the next 24 hours, after Barcelona had some "productive talks" with Liverpool over the Uruguayan's transfer.

Although the 27-year-old striker has been handed a nine-match international suspension as well as a four-month ban from all football related activity for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Barcelona are keen on getting his signature after watching him single handedly help Liverpool finish second in the Premier League last season.

The striker enjoyed an excellent season with the Reds, picking up many English awards – including the PFA and FWA Player of the Year, the Premier League Golden Boot – after scoring 31 goals in 32 league games.

However, Liverpool reportedly want Barcelona to include Sanchez in the deal as they will be looking for someone to replace Suarez. The Catalan club have reportedly agreed to this as a report in the Mirror claimed that the Spanish side had granted the Reds permission to hold talks with Sanchez.

But the problem is that Sanchez is reportedly keen on joining Arsenal rather than Liverpool, and this could prove to be a big obstacle in Barcelona's pursuit of Suarez.

Still Barcelona will probably be getting Suarez regardless of where Sanchez goes, as they are reportedly ready to activate the £70m buy-out clause in the Uruguayan's contract.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's £18million offer for defender Dejan Lovren has reportedly been rejected by Southampton, according to Sky News.

Although the 24-year-old Croatian, who enjoyed an excellent campaign with the Saints last season, is believed to be interested in making a move to Anfield, Southampton are reportedly reluctant to let him go especially following the recent departure of their other star players Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert (both Liverpool) and Luke Shaw (Manchester United).

However, it is believed that the Saints will be willing to change their minds if Liverpool come up with an offer in excess of £25m for the Croatian defender, who arrived at the Saint Marys for a transfer fee of £8.5m from Lyon last summer.