Luis Suarez’s bitter transfer saga descended into farce yesterday when the Liverpool striker was quoted in a Uruguayan newspaper declaring he would stay at Anfield, only to then deny saying anything of the kind.

It seemed Suarez had performed a remarkable U-turn when he was quoted in El Observador as saying: ‘For now, owing to all the affection of the people, I would be staying.’

But after Uruguay’s 4-2 friendly win in Japan yesterday, in which Suarez scored, the striker is reported to have replied: ‘I didn’t say that. Maybe someone else did and the main thing is that I am here now with the national team.’

Happy: Luis Suarez, celebrating scoring for Uruguay, denies saying he would stay at Liverpool

In action: Suarez turned out for Uruguay on Wednesday against Japan in a 4-2 win

In full flight: Suarez still seems determined to leave Liverpool

Dynamic duo: Suarez (left) celebrates with striking partner Diego Forlan after scoring Uruguay's third goal

Smiling again: Suarez is lifted up by team-mate Alvaro Gonzalez, who scored Uruguay's fourth goal

Although Suarez has made no secret of his desire to leave Anfield this summer, Liverpool have rejected two offers from Arsenal for the  26-year-old while insisting he is not for sale.

Suarez's reported quotes to El Observador were:  'For now, due to all of the people's affection (for me), I will be staying.'

Uruguayan journalist Martin Chaquero also claimed he had been told Liverpool will keep their star man.

'Luis Suarez confirms to me he will not leave Liverpool. The support of the fans has influenced his decision,' Chaquero said.

'Suarez see it as likely that he'll sign a renewal (extension) to the contract that binds him to Liverpool.'

Chaquero later tweeted: 'Sources close to Luis Suarez have confirmed his decision to stay at Liverpool.'

Even if Suarez was thinking about signing a new deal, Sportsmail understands that is a long way from happening due to his behavior over the last month.

And former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann says the club are better off without their controversial star anyway.

‘He has disrespected the football club, and the history and the heritage of the club,’ Hamann said on TalkSPORT.

‘I think the club will be better without him and I don’t think the team will be worse off without him.

In football you need a team. One player doesn’t make a team, one player doesn’t make a football club.

‘As we have seen in the past, the likes of [Fernando] Torres, [Kenny] Dalglish, [Robbie] Fowler, [Ian] Rush, [Michael] Owen have all left and the club carried on. Most important is a good team and the man who is in charge.’

The claims and counter claims came after Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admitted he will use his influence at the club to try to persuade Suarez to stay.

‘It’s very important he stays. He is one of the best players in the world,’ Gerrard said ahead of England’s Wembley friendly against Scotland. 'I can understand why clubs are showing an interest in him.

Ball's in his court: Luis Suarez claimed he wants to stay at Liverpool, according to the Uruguayan media

Lean on me: Suarez apparently claimed the loyalty of the Liverpool fans had won him over

In action: Suarez got a favourable response from Anfield when appearing in Steven Gerrard's testimonial

‘If I can use my influence to make him stay I will. I love playing with him and I don’t want him to go.

'For Liverpool to be successful and move forward we have to keep our best players. I don't know what will happen in the next two weeks. But I'm really confident he won't move to anyone else in England.'

Meanwhile, Arsenal are devising a Plan B in their search for a new centre forward as the realisation dawns that they could miss out on Suarez.

Sportsmail understands the Gunners’ back room team have started looking at a contingency plan should their pursuit of Suarez end in failure.

Powers of persuasion: Steven Gerrard (right), training with England, says he will try to make Suarez stay

Interested? Edin Dzeko, pictured in Munich with Manchester City, has found form in pre-season

Other targets: Stevan Jovetic (right) chose Manchester City but Michu (left) remains an option for Arsenal

One that got away: Gonzalo Higuain (centre) left for Napoli. Here, he celebrates scoring against Benfica

Discussions aimed at identifying alternative targets between scouting staff have taken place in the last few days.

The news is the first clear indication from within the Arsenal ranks that they could miss out on Suarez, who has become the major focus of their transfer strategy.

Gonzalo Higuain and Stevan Jovetic both featured highly on Arsene Wenger’s wanted list this summer, with a deal for the former virtually completed before the Gunners switched their attentions to Suarez.

But the strike pair have already completed big-money transfers this summer, Higuain to Napoli and Jovetic to Manchester City, leaving Arsenal short of options.

Wayne Rooney was a target earlier in the summer, while the club have completed extensive scouting reports on Swansea striker Michu and Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko.

One player Arsenal look better placed to sign is Bayern Munich defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo, as they have opened talks with the Champions League holders over a £14.5million switch for the Brazil man.

Still searching: Arsene Wenger (right), talking to Manuel Pellegrini, is looking to add to his squad

And Gustavo, who has dropped down the midfield pecking order at the Allianz Arena, is keen on a move to north London, saying: ‘They [Arsenal] are a great team and that would be a great chance.

‘I want to move to a club where I can play.’

Meanwhile, Malaga want to use right back Jesus Gamez as part of the negotiations to sign Nicklas Bendtner.

Arsenal want to sign a new right-back as defensive cover for Bacary Sagna, who could be used as a makeshift centre back in the absence of injured Thomas Vermaelen during the opening weeks of the season.

And Malaga want to explore using Gamez, 28, as part of the deal to land Gunners outcast Bendtner.

Ins and outs: Luiz Gustavo (left) could join from Bayern Munich whereas Nicklas Bendtner is likely to leave