Luis Suarez Nears End Of Contract – Where Next?
Luis Suarez Rangers links were plentiful during Steven Gerrard’s time in Glasgow. With the Uruguayan’s contract expiring at the end of 2021-22, and his future seemingly destined to be away from Atletico, Suarez transfer rumours are appearing again.
Inevitably, there have been suggestions that the former Liverpool star could reunite with Gerrard at Aston Villa.
The practicality of this alongside Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins is clearly not a priority for the rumour mill right now, nor is Suarez’s sky-high wages, which would surely make it impossible for the Villains to retain Philippe Coutinho.
According to Marca, Atletico want to wait until the summer to make a decision on Suarez’s contract.
With a smaller role this season following the return of Antoine Griezmann and the form of Joao Felix, however, the club from Madrid cannot necessarily offer Suarez what he wants.
As the Qatar World Cup looms later this year, Suarez is looking for game time to ensure he remains in the Uruguay team.
It’s understandable that other reports are clearer on Suarez’s intentions. Atleti isn’t the club for Suarez to be first choice next season in the build up to the tournament.
A considerable wage cut is required wherever he opts to play, and Colin Millar reported in the Mirror that Suarez has his sights set on a move away from Europe.
Millar wrote, “The Uruguayan has already identified his next destination too, as he plans to move to the United States to play MLS.”
Some have suggested that Atletico will ultimately offer a contract to Suarez. Others have mooted Brazil as a possible destination for Suarez, which would allow him to return to South America after almost two decades in Europe.
The links to Aston Villa are not going to disappear, though. Public comments about his future are rare from Suarez.
A 2021 World Soccer interview gave us an insight into his thoughts on teaming up with Gerrard and a potential return to England.
“I think Stevie is doing just fine without me! I am pleased but not at all surprised to see him win the league with Rangers. Winning is what he does and at some point in the future I am sure he will be at Liverpool again.
“Playing for any team other than Liverpool in England would be hard. I had, and hope I still do have, such a good relationship with Liverpool fans that it would be strange for me to play for somebody else.
“It would have been special to win the league with Liverpool. But I am glad that their wait is now over. They look like a team that will compete for many seasons to come even if this one has not been the best for them. They are back where they belong.”
So, Villa fans can read what they like into that. Suarez is clearly keeping a keen eye on his former teammate’s managerial career, yet he isn’t enamoured with the idea of playing for a non-Liverpool Premier League club.
Of course, he wouldn’t be the first footballer to contradict his previous comments when it comes to transfers, but it doesn’t seem like Villa Park is at the top of his priorities as a free agent this summer.
It goes without saying that fanciful Luis Suarez Rangers links are dead in the water after Gerrard departed for the West Midlands.
Atletico’s Other Options
Suarez seems like he’s heading out the door. Atletico are also expecting to recoup a transfer fee for Alvaro Morata this summer.
A new striker is a must in the window, even with Felix and Griezmann at the club. Atletico have a tendency to cycle through forwards at an impressive rate, and they’re all too aware what a difference an elite finisher can make.
Recent addition Matheus Cunha has put in some good performances this term and clearly has a role to play going forward.
Some believed Atletico were pursuing Dušan Vlahović before his move to Juventus, but the club from the capital would be better off making a lower cost striker acquisition in the summer.
They already have solid options in the final third, but they are searching for their next Radamel Falcao or Diego Costa.
Lucas Boyé is going to attract interest from around Europe and could prove to be a bargain given his release clause, which will be no higher than €25 million.
onathan David is a popular pick for striker-needy clubs, but he’s likely to be far more costly.
Atleti could face competition from some wealthy Premier League sides, including Manchester United and Arsenal. The same, unfortunately, goes for Benfica standout Darwin Núñez.
There is no easy answer to Atletico’s striker conundrum, though it’s apparent there are plenty of options out there if they do choose to let Suarez find a new club.
Suarez Set For MLS?
David Beckham’s Inter Miami have made no secret of their star-chasing ambitions.
Gonzalo Higuain is already at the club, and the Floridian franchise have been heavily linked with Suarez, who has spoken over the last few years about his desire to play in MLS.
The Los Angeles and New York teams are always going to be suggested as destinations for big names, and Lorenzo Insigne has just joined Toronto FC.
Suarez would be a marquee addition for whichever franchise he signed with, but he’s still an incredibly effective player and could be dominant in Major League Soccer.
Perhaps the biggest question facing the Uruguayan is what he would be prioritising. Does he move there purely for a big salary? Or is this a chance to add further silverware?
If he does make trip across the Atlantic, plenty will wonder if he can lure other stars to his franchise, too. Sergio Busquets is a name to keep an eye on in that regard.