by Benny The Noon » Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:52 pm
Anyway back to Suarez
Luis Suarez Transfer Rumours: Latest News on the Liverpool Star
By Mark Jones on June 17, 2013
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The rumours of Luis Suarez's exit began surfacing round about the time that he was given a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in April—it was the Uruguayan's second lengthy ban for a misdemeanour during his time in English football.
The forward has since sought to blame anyone and everyone for his desire to quit life on Merseyside, as shown in this Guardian report in which he suggests that the British media are trying to drive him out of the country.
As seen in the Daily Mail, Suarez has also rounded on British Prime Minister David Cameron during what has seemingly become an extended plea for sympathy and for an understanding of his desire to leave the Reds, with Real Madrid repeatedly linked with a move for him.
Suarez has made clear that he would find it "difficult to say no" to a switch to the Bernabeu should the opportunity for one appear―as seen here on the BBC website―but with Liverpool making it clear that they consider him not for sale, an uneasy stand-off between club and player has ensued.
Real have remained largely quiet so far, but the developments in the Suarez story are sure to go on and on...
He might be stationed in Brazil for the Confederations Cup, but the rumours of a switch to Madrid were always going to follow Suarez to South America.
However―and how much he sticks to his word will surely depend on if there is any progress with his intended move―Suarez has indicated that whilst at the tournament he will only focus on matters concerning Uruguay.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca (h/t Sky Sports) he indicated that he only has one thought on his mind, saying:
"I've come to the Confederations Cup with my mind on Uruguay and not thinking about how it can help me with a transfer. My only goal is to win the trophy."
He was quickly back to attempting some more character redemption, though, indicating to the Spanish media that he isn't as bad a guy as their English counterparts often make him out to be:
"I have done things wrong, but I have recognised my mistakes and apologised. Obviously I would love to be valued more for my performances and not for one-off incidents."
Whilst they may still be putting a brave face on the prospect of last season's 30-goal top scorer leaving the club, Liverpool haven't let that get them down.
Indeed, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has been one of the busiest managers in the Premier League so far this summer, with the Reds securing a deal for defender Kolo Toure on a free transfer and agreeing a move in principle for the Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas―a player compared to Suarez in his style of play.
Most tellingly ,though, Liverpool are reportedly looking to secure a couple of big-money deals just as Suarez appears even more set to leave.
According to this Guardian report, the Reds are getting closer to signing Sunderland and Belgium goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and, even more intriguingly, Shakhtar Donetsk's free-scoring midfielder, Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The Armenian scored 25 goals in the Ukrainian Premier League last season and at £22 million would represent the kind of sizeable investment in the squad that Suarez has been crying out for.
Whether that's come too late remains to be seen.
Even though he'd be due four weeks off following Uruguay's involvement at the Confederations Cup, Suarez would reportedly forego them in order to meet with Rodgers and Reds chief executive Ian Ayre to try and force through his move.
Although this report from the Mirror contains no direct quotes, it indicates that Suarez would be ready to return to Liverpool when the players who aren't involved on international duty come back to the club on July 2―just two days after the Confederations Cup final.
With the report also claiming that Liverpool will become increasingly resigned to losing their star forward should he continue his transfer offensive, the Reds might be happy to see his move sorted out sooner rather than later.
That ban on talking about his transfer didn't last long did it?
In a story reported here in the Daily Mail, Suarez tells El Pais―perhaps tellingly, a Madrid-based newspaper―that he is "disturbed" that Liverpool aren't frequently rubbing shoulders with Europe's elite, albeit with a reiteration of his love for the Reds thrown in:
It disturbs me that Liverpool are not in the Champions League every season.
I’ve suffered at Liverpool, but when I think of what it represents to play for this club, and the love my daughter has - she sings the hymn - the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I play at Anfield.
It wasn't long before the conversation turned to him playing for one of the biggest teams in Spain, and just what qualities he would bring to them as he added:
“I will give my soul every time I step on the pitch. I have done this with Uruguay, Ajax and Liverpool. I do not hold anything when I finish a game.”
Finally he let his transfer wish hit home once more, saying:
"Every player aspires (to be the best) and if you ask a child of eight years they would say one day they would go to Real Madrid or Barcelona."
Whilst most of the talk remains about a certain player leaving Liverpool, a man coming in wanted his say too.
Iago Aspas―who, as we read earlier, has agreed a deal in principle with the Reds―is on his way to Merseyside and is looking to make a name for himself, but not as a replacement for Suarez.
Indeed, the Spanish forward even wants the Uruguayan, one of several Spanish speakers at Anfield, to help him ease into his new life.
In this report in Metro, Aspas says:
Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I am going there to take an important step in my career – not to be a replacement for anyone.
I am excited to be in England, I want to play in the Premier League, and I hope to be able to settle there and learn with help from the Spanish speakers at the club – including Luis Suarez.
Whilst Suarez has seemingly made all of the moves in this transfer saga so far, Liverpool have started to seek to take control of it according to a report.
In this Mirror report, it is indicated that the Reds could look to take young Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata, who is currently the top goalscorer at the European Under-21 Championships, as part of any deal to take Suarez to the Bernabeu.
The report also quotes the 20-year-old Spaniard claiming that he'll leave Real should they bring in a new forward, saying:
“If another striker is brought in, I will have to think about what’s best for me and consider leaving. If I go, I would prefer a move abroad.”
Liverpool would be sure to face competition for Morata's signature due to his success this summer, but the presence of the 20-year-old in a deal for Suarez could just suit all parties.