Aston Villa dealt blow as Luis Suarez edges toward South America return
Luis Suarez, whose contract at Atletico Madrid expires this summer, has been in talks about a return to South America with Argentine side River Plate.
Speaking on Radio La RedRiver, as quoted by Spanish newspaper SPORT, club president Jorge Brito revealed:
"“You offer five million to Luis Suarez and you convince him. The talks are taking place and I think the first one was in Paris. River is willing to make a significant financial effort so that Luis Suárez replaces Julián Alvarez.“It is the dream of (Marcelo) Gallardo and the leadership. There were already talks with the Uruguayan. It is difficult but Suárez did not close the door at all.”"
Gallardo is the manager of Los Millonarios and has been there since 2014.
The paper also writes, “Luis Suárez wants to continue playing in Europe to get ready for the World Cup in Qatar.” However, given his status as one of Uruguay’s star men, a move to Argentina will not necessarily put his place in the team in doubt although playing at the highest level in Europe will certainly help make sure he is at his peak for the tournament.
Suarez has certainly made an impact at World Cups and not always for the right reasons. In 2010 he infamously handled the ball on the goal-line to prevent Ghana from taking the lead in extra-time of their quarter-final clash. While in 2014, the Uruguayan was banned for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder.
River Plate are certainly in need of a forward with Alvarez leaving to join Manchester City, however, if this move does happen it will be a blow for Aston Villa. The West Midlands side were linked with Suarez, which would’ve seen him reunited with his former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerard.
However, BBC Sports Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty wrote on Twitter, “Luis Suarez will not be coming to Villa Park either.”
Xabi Alonso will not be reunited with Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa as part of his management team once Michael Beale is confirmed as new QPR manager. Luis Suaez will not be coming to Villa Park either.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) June 1, 2022
Argentina a first for Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez has not played in Argentina before but started his career in South America with Uruguayan side Nacional. He then had spells in the Netherlands with Groningen and Ajax before starring for Liverpool.
At Liverpool, he won the League Cup in 2012 and was part of the side that came so close to winning the league in 2013/14.
His form with the Reds got him a move to Barcelona where he was involved in a star-studded front three alongside Messi and Neymar.
His last few years have been at Atletico Madrid, managed by former River Plate boss Diego Simeone. A move back to South America would certainly excite a continent that always sees its most talented players shipped off to Europe.
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If the move does happen it would be a loss to European football who will miss an extremely talented yet controversial player who would do anything to win.