Liverpool FC hold 'positive' talks with Luis Suarez's agent
8 Jul 2013 22:11
Speculation over the striker's future rumbles on
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Liverpool have held constructive talks with Luis Suarez's agent as speculation over the striker's future rumbles on.
Pere Guardiola flew to Merseyside to meet Reds managing director Ian Ayre at the club's city centre offices yesterday before heading for Melwood to see manager Brendan Rodgers.
The ECHO understands that the dialogue was both “positive” and “amicable”.
Anfield officials have always enjoyed a good working relationship with the agent, who is the brother of new Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola, and that remains the case.
There was no backtracking from the agent following Suarez's public declarations in South America that he would jump at the opportunity to quit English football this summer and sign for Real Madrid.
However, no transfer request was submitted by Guardiola – a sign that his Uruguayan client, who is on holiday following the Confederations Cup, is not currently prepared to try to force through a move.
During the discussions both Ayre and Rodgers reiterated the club's position that they want Suarez to stay at Anfield and aren't interested in selling the 26-year-old, who is under contract for a further three years.
Guardiola's trip to Merseyside came just hours after it emerged that Liverpool had rejected a £30million offer for Suarez from Arsenal.
Luis Suarez fires in a free-kick as part of a hat-trick against Wigan
However, the ECHO understands the timing was simply a coincidence with yesterday's talks having already been scheduled before the Gunners made their approach.
Guardiola gave no indication to Liverpool that a move to the Emirates would interest Suarez, who has always insisted that his treatment at the hands of the UK press was his pressing reason for wanting to part company with the Reds.
Sources in London suggest Arsenal are highly unlikely to increase their offer.
Having became frustrated in their attempts to wrap up a £23million deal with Real Madrid for Gonzalo Higuain, Arsene Wenger has been looking at alternative striking options with the Gunners having also contacted Manchester United recently over Wayne Rooney.
However, Arsenal's bid for Suarez was instantly dismissed and they have been left in no doubt that Liverpool aren't interested in selling their prized asset, especially to one of their domestic rivals.
The Reds, who value Suarez at around £45million to £50million, are keen to ensure that the speculation doesn't drag on until the end of the transfer window.
But with Real Madrid yet to firm up their interest and with no guarantees they would prepared to stump up that kind of fee, a resolution to the summer-long saga appears to be some way off.
Suarez is due back from his holidays on July 22 and is expected to be involved in the Melbourne and Bangkok legs of the club's pre-season tour.
The importance of retaining Suarez's services has increased after Liverpool missed out on Henrikh Mkhitaryan, their top summer transfer target.
The attacking midfielder has agreed a four-year deal with Borussia Dortmund who will pay Shakhtar Donetsk around £21million.
Meanwhile, Reds midfielder Jay Spearing is considering interest from Blackburn Rovers.
The Championship outfit have agreed in principle a £1.75million deal for the 24-year-old but they have to sell a player – most likely full-back Martin Olsson – in order to finance the transfer.
As Blackburn look to free up sufficient cash, Spearing is waiting to discover if there are any other offers on the table as he would ideally want to stay in the Premier League.
Ha ha!
Not at all sarcastic - I'm a sucker for dry humour that's all.
