Luis Suarez told Liverpool earlier this week that he wants to leave the club and join Arsenal this summer.
We can reveal that the Uruguayan has now begun looking for houses and schools in London.
It is understood that the father-of-one has spoken on the phone to Arsenal vice-captain and fellow Spanish speaker Mikel Arteta about both where his family would live were they to relocate to the capital and possible schools for his young daughter, Delfina.
Arteta is highly regarded at Arsenal for his leadership skills and vocal dressing-room presence and is expected to lead the team in the opening two months of the new season in the absence of the injured Thomas Vermaelen.
His conversations with Suarez demonstrate the Uruguayan's growing desire to leave Anfield and become Arsenal's club-record signing.
As revealed earlier, the Gunners lodged a second formal bid for the striker on Monday, believed to be worth £42 million including add-ons.
Liverpool insist that Suarez is not for sale and have let it be known to the player's camp that he would have to lodge an official transfer request in writing in order to leave Merseyside. Sources have said that the forward is ready do so as he steps up his plans to remove one of the obstacles to his exit.
Arsenal believe that they have been given enough encouragement from the Uruguayan's representatives that he is keen to move to the Emirates Stadium and are increasingly confident that they can capture the 26-year-old, with no other club yet to make a bid for him.
However, any prospective deal has been muddied by the contents of a £40m clause in Suarez's contract, which his advisers believe entitles him to ask for permission to speak to any club that matches the price.
But Liverpool claim they only have to inform Suarez and the clause does not oblige them to sell. There is the prospect that the player may take legal action to force through a move.
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