Manchester United Transfer News: Luis Suarez Rumours Addressed by Barcelona

Speculation linking Barcelona forward Luis Suarez with a possible move to Manchester United has been dismissed by club president Josep Maria Bartomeu. 

As noted by Sky Sports, reports from Spain have suggested the Red Devils will look to lure the Uruguay international away from the Camp Nou with a £135 million offer. However, per the same report, Bartomeu has ruled out talk of a transfer, insisting a new contract is in the works for the 29-year-old.

“We read, we listen, we see this news, but of course, our interest in this particular case is that [Suarez] is happy at Barcelona,” he told Sky Sports' Guillem Balague. “For me, he is probably the best striker in Europe and we want him to be with us. Right now, we are trying to extend his contract with Barcelona and he is one of our big future efforts because he is still young, he has a vision, a lot of ambition.”

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Suarez arrived at Barcelona from Liverpool as one of the most exciting forwards in world football, although he’s taken his game on to new heights at the Camp Nou.

The UEFA Champions League Twitter feed summed up the impact he’s had since he arrived:

It takes a very special footballer to be able to make the Blaugrana a better attacking side, but that’s exactly what Suarez has done.

While there are times when he may not be the easiest on the eye, he’s relentless in his work rate, sharp in his positioning and a ruthless finisher when chances present themselves. The former Liverpool man’s raw style of play has added an edge to what is otherwise a side packed with polished technicians.

His attributes have blended wonderfully with those of Lionel Messi and Neymar, with the trio forming an exceptional triumvirate. “He is happy at Barcelona and together with [Messi] and Neymar, they are really very dangerous,” added Bartomeu.

These numbers from Sky Sports News HQ sum up just how effective they’ve been as an attacking unit:

Those factors are enough to cast doubt over any potential move to United, as Barcelona tend to resist any approaches for their biggest stars in the peak years of their career. However, there would be even more obstacles for the Red Devils to overcome if there's veracity to reports of interest.

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The most notable would evidently be Suarez’s affinity with Liverpool and run-ins with United in the past. The Uruguayan was a popular figure on Merseyside, as he almost propelled the Reds to the title in the 2013-14 season.

As we can see here, Suarez remains close to the Anfield outfit and plenty of their current stars:

Additionally, the striker was smacked with an eight-game ban in 2011 for racially abusing United’s Patrice Evra. His refusal to shake the Frenchman’s hand in the next meeting between the sides prompted former Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson to brand the striker a “disgrace,” insisting “he should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again.”

As arguably the very best No. 9 in world football, it’d be a massive surprise if Barcelona were willing to sell Suarez, even for the massive sum aforementioned. Given their desire to keep him, the Uruguayan’s links with Liverpool and his chequered past with the Old Trafford club, this one is a non-starter.