London – Luis Suarez looks to be on his way out of Anfield, following claims in Spain that Real Madrid had struck a £40million deal to take him to the Bernabeu.
Just 24 hours after the Liverpool striker told a Uruguayan radio station it would be ‘very difficult’ to turn down an approach from the Madrid club, the influential Spanish newspaper Marca reported that an agreement had been reached to make him a Real player. There was an angry response from Liverpool, who insisted there had been no contact from Real and that Suarez would be in breach of contract should talks have taken place without their permission.
Suarez also distanced himself from Marca’s claims but still cast doubt over his Anfield future, saying: “It’s not true I have an agreement with Real Madrid. I am thinking about my future, but I have not decided anything yet.”
However, the report appears to confirm a growing Anfield fear that Suarez wants to quit English football.
Real president Florentino Perez signalled his club’s intent after being asked about speculation that a bid was imminent. He said: “Suarez is a great player, and I’m sure all the clubs in the world want him. I like him, but so do a lot of others.”
Though Liverpool will do their utmost to keep him, after awarding him a lucrative new contract last summer, they are aware that he wants to see what Real have to offer and that they would be his club of choice, should he leave.
If he does end a controversial Anfield stay that this season brought him 30 goals but a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, Liverpool can count on the consolation of straight cash from Real.
They are not interested in a player-exchange deal, but, with a shortage of funds for manager Brendan Rodgers’s transfer requirements this summer, would welcome an injection of cash from any Suarez transfer. – Daily Mail