Liverpool desperate to keep Suarez... but Bayern could hold the trump card with Guardiola's own BROTHER working as the star's agent

Star man: Suarez is currently on national duty with Uruguay ahead of their clash with Chile.

Bayern Munich are ready to play their trump card in a three-way battle to land Luis Suarez after it emerged that Pep Guardiola's brother is advising the Liverpool striker on his future.

Senior sources at Juventus confirmed their intention to join the bidding for £40million-rated Suarez, while Guardiola's old club Barcelona are also in the frame.

But Serie A leaders Juve have privately admitted Bayern are in pole position, due to Guardiola's brother Pere being Suarez's agent.

Race is on: Luis Suarez will be targeted by a number of top clubs this summer

Former Barca boss Guardiola has been promised substantial transfer backing after agreeing two months ago to replace Jupp Heynckes at the end of the season, and has earmarked Liverpool's prolific frontrunner as his main target.

Bayern's seemingly unassailable lead at the top of the Bundesliga guarantees Champions League football next season, while Pere seems certain to nominate the Allianz Arena, should Suarez seek his advice over choosing a new club in the summer.

Juventus have not given up on the 26-year-old Uruguayan, but there is an acceptance that they are up against it, given the Guardiola family link and the amounts involved.

With prize money for a Champions League semi-final place estimated at £40million, senior figures at Juve have calculated that they need to reach the last four, at least, to have a realistic chance of financing a deal.

Bayern are standing in their way, in a twist that should add extra spice to an eagerly-awaited quarter-final showdown next month between the two biggest names in Italian and German football.

Though Suarez has been installed as Juve's priority target, coach Antonio Conte and director Beppe Marotta have lined up Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez as an alternative, should they lose out to Bayern or even Barca in the race for the top prize.

Liverpool still hope to hang on to Suarez but are mindful of his longing for Champions League football and wary of his agent's possible influence on what promises to be this summer's most intriguing transfer battle.