Liverpool ‘Confident’ Suarez Will Stay Despite Reports He’s Agreed To Join Barca

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, the latest on the future of Luis Suarez.

Liverpool remain confident they will be able to keep hold of Luis Suarez this summer despite increasing speculation linking him with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Understandably, some Liverpool fans are concerned by reports coming out of Spain today that claim Suarez has made it clear that he wants to leave Anfield this summer. Mundo Deportivo report that the Uruguayan has already agreed to join Barcelona ahead of rivals Real Madrid as his wife’s family live near Catalonia and they believe  he’s keen to take the next step in his career by joining a club fighting for the Champions League.

There has been talk of a release clause being inserted into the 27-year-old’s contract that he signed last season, with some reports suggesting that Real or Barca could trigger it for around £65m, but these reports are so far unconfirmed and the exact details of the contract remain unclear.

Reports have also suggested that Liverpool will demand Alexis Sanchez as part of any deal that would see Suarez move to the Nou Camp, and with the Catalans prepared to cash-in on the Chilean international this summer, the Daily Star claim that the Spaniard’s have put forward a deal worth £56m plus the 25-year-old attacker in exchange for Suarez.

However, the Liverpool Echo have a very different take on things as they are reporting that Liverpool have not heard anything from Barcelona, or any other club for that matter, regarding the future of Suarez and the player nor his agent have given any indication he wants to leave.

The local newspaper points out that Suarez reaffirmed his commitment to the club during end of season talks and that although they do expect bids to eventually arrive for the striker this summer, Brendan Rodgers remains confident that the Uruguayan will still be at the club next season.

If true, this will obviously come as a huge relief to Reds fans as the last thing they want is to see their talisman to leave the club this summer after such an exciting campaign last year that saw them push Manchester City all the way for the Premier League title.

While the ECHO’s report will calm the nerves of Liverpool supporters, there was a word of caution from the newspaper as they warn that should a ‘huge’ bid arrive from Spain that meets the release clause and Suarez tells the club he wants to leave, then Liverpool will have no option but to reluctantly agree to sell the striker.

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Interest in Suarez will come as no surprise to anyone after the sensational year he’s just had, but everyone associated with LFC must be praying that Barcelona and Real Madrid aren’t prepared to meet the striker release clause – whatever the fee may be.

Despite his happiness on Merseyside, the Uruguayan international may find it difficult to turn down a move to the La Liga giants if it’s put on the table and his exit would set Liverpool back after the great strides they’ve made over the past 12 months.