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Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen says he would be surprised if Anfield favourite Luis Suarez leaves to join English Premier League rivals Arsenal.

The Reds have already turned down a Gunners club record bid of 40illion pounds (61.5 million dollar) for the 26-year-old Uruguay striker - and Owen feels if a move does take place it would be more logical to look at Spain.

"Arsenal are a fabulous club and have got a great heritage, but Liverpool are as big - if not bigger," Owen told the BBC's Sportsweek.

"I'd be very surprised if he were to move to Arsenal. Madrid or Barcelona would make more sense."

"From Suarez's point of view you can understand him if he wants to reach the absolute pinnacle of the game - that's playing in the Champions League. Liverpool obviously are not in that at the moment," added Owen, who joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in 2004.

"Truthfully, can you really see Arsenal winning the Champions League next season or going into the later stages? Unless they buy a good few players then I can't," Owen said.