Barcelona Transfer News: Luis Suarez Rumours Hint at Premier League Return

The tumultuous situation developing at Barcelona looks set to spark widespread change at the club, but the sale of Luis Suarez—the club’s marquee summer signing—is not something that would immediately spring to mind as a potential consequence.

But according to Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail, the former Liverpool striker now faces an uncertain future with the Catalan club following the sacking of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and the subsequent resignation of his assistant Carles Puyol. Ashton goes on to provide a succinct summation of the current situation:

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Arsenal previously tried to sign him but Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea will continue to monitor the forward’s progress over the next five months.

Barcelona have been decisive in the past with top players and sent Zlatan Ibrahimovic on loan to AC Milan when he failed to settle into Pep Guardiola’s side after his £50m move from Inter.

Although Barcelona have no intention of selling Suarez yet, he could be the fall guy in the summer under a new regime at the Nou Camp.

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Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

Suarez took the Premier League by storm last season with his encapsulating, effervescent forward play. The Uruguayan’s exploits nearly hauled Liverpool to the Premier League title and, on the back of such a dazzling campaign, he was rightly revered as one of the world’s finest footballers. At Barcelona, it’s not quite happened for him yet.

And although there will be a clamour for an immediate impact from a player who cost £75 million, per Ashton’s piece, there are some extenuating circumstances to consider here. Most pertinently that Suarez was unable to feature in any competitive action until October and subsequently, he still looks a little short of his colourful peak.

Since being drafted into the first XI things have got a lot worse for Barcelona too, as we can see here courtesy of Bleacher Report UK:

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Barcelona’s form has slipped markedly since Luis Suarez returned from suspension. pic.twitter.com/6v7iDjHDrp

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) January 6, 2015"

Compounding that matter is that Suarez has to adapt to a new stylistic approach and an environment where he has to share the spotlight with other greats of the game. Luis Enrique has been searching for a formula to get the very best out of all three of his sensational attacking triumvirate, but as of yet, they've not settled into a devastating groove.

With Messi in situ, Rashad feels it’ll be difficult for any world-class forward to succeed:

By contrast Bleacher Report’s Cristian Nyari thinks the Uruguayan has fared well in recent weeks and as such, Enrique should give him a key role:

It’s a dilemma and solution you suspect will be critical to Enrique’s eventual success as Barcelona manager. Messi has the requisite stature that ensures he commands a pivotal place in the team, but as Suarez showcased last season, when he’s playing in his best position in a system that suits his attributes, he’s not far off that exceptional level either.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Enrique will continue to search for options as the season rolls on, but the notion that the Catalonians would consider selling Suarez so early is ridiculous. He’s a player that has the potential to light up any game in world football and is worthy of a little more patience from those who frequent the Camp Nou.

Given the issues that have punctured Suarez’s maiden campaign in La Liga, Cules may not see the best of their £75 million man until next season. But if he does eventually go on to accrue the astonishing levels that were a hallmark of the previous campaign, then there’s little doubt that he’s a player more than worth the wait.