Rumour Mill: Real ready to test Liverpool’s Luis Suarez resolve; Cesc Fabregas on his way, but where?

LIVERPOOL setting the pace in the early transfer going, but are they stockpiling for the potential loss of Luis Suarez? This is Rumour Mill.

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY - OCTOBER 15: Luis Suarez of Uruguay in action during a match between Uruguay and Argentina as part of the 18th round of the South American Qualifiers for the FIFA's World Cup Brazil 2014 at Centenario Stadium Stadium on October 15, 2013 in Montevideo, Uruguay. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) Picture: Supplied

REAL Madrid are about to truly test Liverpool’s desire to hold on to Luis Suarez.

On the same day the Anfield club finalised the arrival of their second summer signing - young German midfielder Emre Can - comes news that the European champions want the star Uruguay striker at almost any cost.

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Could it be on the back of the arrival of Rickie Lambert and now Can in recent days that Liverpool may at least be entertaining the possibility of a Suarez departure?

Real got the all-important clearance from manager Carlo Ancelotti to start the Suarez chase, says The Daily Mirror, while Spanish newspaper Marca are reporting that club president Florentino Perez has made Suarez his number one transfer target.

Liverpool have repeatedly said they are determined to hold on to Suarez - at any cost. But if they were offered, say, Gareth Bale-like money - in excess of $150 million - would they bite the bullet?

Suarez signed a new Liverpool contract late last year, which also saw his which also saw his buy-out clause sky rocket to be around $135 million.

Marca report that Real and Suarez are interested in negotiating but Liverpool aren’t - yet.

Can’s arrival continues manager Brendan Rodger’s pro-active start to the transfer period.

No other EPL rival has been so decisive.

The 20-year-old, who made 39 appearances in all competitions since joining Leverkusen last season from Bayern Munich, helping them to fourth in the Bundesliga and secure Champions League qualification.

Can made seven appearances in Europe’s elite competition during 2013-14, and has previously played at the European Under-21 Championship and the Under-17 World Cup.

Cesc Fabregas is about to leave Barcelona, but go where?

Has gaffe revealed Fabregas intentions?

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has apparently let slip that teammate Cesc Fabregas is leaving the club for $45 million in a remark overheard by Spanish public television.

Without revealing the attacking midfielder's destination, widely rumoured to be Chelsea, the 27-year-old Pique seemed to inadvertently divulge his friend's price tag to the world at an event in the United States.

Pique put his hand over his mouth but spoke into the live microphone of public television TVE at a promotional event in Washington DC where Spain were training ahead of a friendly against El Salvador.

“He's told me it's done,” Pique can be heard telling Spain coach Vicente del Bosque moments before the start of a news conference.

“He is going. He told me 45 million.”

Del Bosque replied that the departure of Fabregas, 27, would be bad news for the president, an apparent reference to Barcelona boss Josep Maria Bartomeu.

“He can't get a break,” Del Bosque said. “You're going to make him crazy, poor guy.”

It is unclear if Pique and Del Bosque were truly caught in an offhand moment.

Barcelona-based sports daily Mundo Deportivo said the pair's smiles raised suspicions that the remarks were actually a practical joke on the media.

Spain face Chile, the Netherlands and Australia in World Cup Group B. Their first match pits them on June 13 against the Netherlands - their opponents in their 2010 World Cup final triumph.

Are United falling off the transfer pace?

Poor old Manchester United just can’t attract the cream of the crop in the early transfer going.

Although armed with a massive war-chest, new manager Louis van Gaal will be dismayed to hear that despite a raft of players being linked with the Old Trafford club, not one has committed to a move.

It’s probably not surprising considering they will not be playing in Europe next season but it does highlight their fall from grace.

Arjen Robben, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and others have already reportedly turned down moves, and now comes the news that Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitic is likely to pick the Nou Camp over Old Trafford.

But could their position actually have a silver lining. Reports in The Daily Express are suggesting that United are in prime position to land Cesc Fabregas because .... they aren’t in Europe and not a direct threat to Barcelona. Ouch!!

Originally published as Rumour Mill: Real ready to test Liverpool’s Luis Suarez resolve; Cesc Fabregas on his way, but where?