Premier League: Suarez bid shows Arsenal are making the right moves

Luis Suarez - Arsenal have asked about signing him

Arsene Wenger is in the transfer market as a buyer rather than a seller this summer. Ralph Ellis sees signs of an upturn in Arsenal's fortunes as a result...

Summer wouldn't be summer if there wasn't transfer speculation surrounding Arsenal. It's as predictable as strawberries at Wimbledon, Americans complaining the rough is too long at The Open, and rain at Lord's.

Would Thierry Henry stay? Would Barcelona buy Cesc Fabregas? How much would Manchester City be prepared to pay for Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy? Where would Robin Van Persie move to? These have been just some of the stories that punctuated the last several close seasons and left Gunners fans in fury and frustration.

This year it is similar, but also very different. There's no narrative about a top player leaving, but plenty about who might come in. And though so far the only confirmed arrival is Auxerre's French Under 21 international striker Yaya Sanogo, the noises are far more positive.

A deal for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain has been on the table for weeks, with Arsene Wenger still haggling over the final details to convince the Argentina international to put pen to paper on a contract worth more than 5million a year.

Wayne Rooney, in the Royal Box yesterday to watch Andy Murray's historic Centre Court triumph, is also on the target list. Arsenal's manager has had clearance to match his 250,000 a week Old Trafford contract and thinks he can show the England striker that he can improve his game at The Emirates.

Now comes a move for Liverpool's Luis Suarez. Arsenal made their move last week to ask about the controversial Uruguayan striker. He has said in public he wants to move on from Anfield, but hasn't actually handed a transfer request to boss Brendan Rodgers. The initial approach, worth around 30million, has been knocked back but the Gunners are now among a group of clubs ready to test Liverpool's determination not to sell. (Suarez is as long as 3.9n/a to stay at Liverpool).

Wenger doesn't have to do a lot to his squad to make a difference. He proved the potential of the group he's already got in the final ten games of the season, when they won eight and drew two to make it into fourth place and guarantee another year in the Champions League. He needs to have Jack Wilshere fit to provide the drive from midfield - and the signs are good on that one with the England star reporting back ready for his first full pre-season since 2010. Then he needs a guaranteed goal scorer which is where the bids for Higuain, Rooney and Suarez come in.

With the right signing, Wenger can demonstrate that his club are moving forward again. There is change at Old Trafford with the end of the Fergie era, Manchester City have a new manager in Manuel Pellegrini who is untried in the Premier League, and Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge brings no guarantee of instant success. So if he can get off to the same sort of start to this season as the run which ended the last one, there is a big opportunity.

Maybe, even at 11.5n/a, it is still too much to ask for Arsenal to actually regain the title as Premier League champions they last held in 2004 but a top two finish at 4.77/2 could be a tempting punt, if only as a back-to-lay if the Gunners get a good start to the season while everybody else is settling down.