Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Sensible to Cash in on Luis Suarez
When the curtain came down on the 2013/14 Premier League season, a campaign that saw Liverpool come perilously close to the title, anyone who said the Reds’ star man Luis Suarez should be sold was branded a madman.
Fast forward just less than two months and suddenly the Uruguayan’s imminent departure is no longer the worst thing in the world, as another biting controversy has landed the striker in hot water.
With FIFA issuing Suarez a four-month ban from football thanks to an alleged bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, per BBC Sport, it appears the 27-year-old has tarnished the Reds’ reputation one time too many and looks on the way out of Anfield.
Though Suarez scored 31 Premier League goals last term, according to WhoScored.com, the time is right for Liverpool and Suarez to part ways, and the club would be foolish not to take advantage of his lofty price tag.
As Metro reports, Liverpool have accepted Barcelona’s astronomical £63 million bid for Suarez according to Catalan TV station TV3, and the deal could go through in the coming days.
Losing your best striker isn’t exactly ideal, but when it comes to a player like Suarez who has so much negative attention around him and can snap at any given moment, an exception has to be made.
Former Reds frontman Michael Owen agrees Liverpool would be wrong to hold onto Suarez and said sending him abroad would be best for all involved—per David McDonnell of the Mirror:
"If I were the Liverpool manager I would probably sell Suarez, but only if the deal was right for the club. Given his misdemeanours in the last few seasons, it will be very difficult for him to continue to play in England. If the deal was right for Liverpool, it would be best for all concerned if he moved on to a new club.
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The Barcelona deal does appear to be right, too. It gives Suarez no chance of coming back to kiss his wrists in celebration at Anfield as domestic opposition and also sees Liverpool take in a very reasonable sum.
However, it’s replacing Suarez that’s going to be tough for the Reds, as 30-goals-per-season strikers are pretty tough to come by.
One man who could be useful to Liverpool’s cause is Barcelona man Alexis Sanchez, though, who has been rumoured to be going in the other direction should Suarez’s deal in Catalonia go through.
The Chile international has found chances few and far between at the Nou Camp since signing in 2011, and with Barcelona willing to sell him, Liverpool should jump at the chance of getting him in a red shirt.
Former England star Gary Lineker also thinks the Reds would be foolish to pass up the chance to sign Sanchez, as he revealed via Twitter:
While £63 million is an astonishing sum of money, you feel Liverpool must insist on taking Sanchez in a part-swap deal or we could see a bit of panic buying at Anfield as the countdown to the season ticks away.
Upwards of £50 million can buy you one hell of a striker (or two), but without plans in place for high-profile transfers, Liverpool could go back to the days of being Premier League also-rans if they don’t replace Suarez.
Luckily for Reds fans, manager Brendan Rodgers is a sensible spender when it comes to transfers and will ensure life without Suarez is just as successful as the days he’ll be leaving behind.
So don’t fret, Liverpool fans, the Premier League and Champions League outlook may be bleak right now, but the future could well be brighter without the Uruguayan dragging the famous red shirt through the mud.
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