INTER MILAN and Real Madrid are weighing up audacious summer bids to land Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.
The European giants believe they could exploit the controversy surrounding the Uruguayan’s eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra to prise him away from Anfield.
Suarez is a massive fans’ favourite and boss Kenny Dalglish, who gave the player unstinting support during the investigation into the Evra bust-up, would resist any potential bid.
But owner John W Henry will closely monitor reaction to Suarez after his return from suspension, which is due against Tottenham on February 6.
As well as being personally concerned by the Suarez case, Henry fears the player could become ‘damaged goods’, with the bad publicity around the case potentially affecting future commercial deals.
Representatives have been sounding out several clubs, including Inter and Jose Mourinho’s Real about Suarez, 25. And while he has turned in some impressive displays since his £25million move from Ajax last year, Liverpool have struggled for goals.
And the club’s attacking unit could be overhauled at the end of the season, with £35m Andy Carroll failing to fit in. Suarez has scored just one Premier League goal since his confrontation with Evra in October.
A major stumbling block in Real’s bid to sign him is that his agent is Pere Guardiola, brother of Pep, boss of Real’s bitter rivals Barcelona.