EXCLUSIVE: New Liverpool deal for Luis Suarez to keep Real Madrid at bay
LIVERPOOL officials flew to Spain yesterday to open contract talks as they step up their bid to keep hold of striker Luis Suarez.
By: Paul Joyce
Published: Wed, December 18, 2013
0Comments
Luis Suarez is set to be rewarded for his red-hot form with a bumper new contract.
Managing director Ian Ayre arrived in Barcelona for an opening round of discussions with Suarez’s adviser, Pere Guardiola, as Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, made clear their determination to secure the forward on a long-term deal.
Suarez has two and a half years left to run on his existing contract, but Liverpool recognise the need to reward the Uruguay international for his sensational performances and are prepared to make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.
They are also aware that Real Madrid, who courted Suarez last summer before breaking the world transfer record by signing Gareth Bale for £86million, retain an interest in a player who has scored 17 goals in 11 games this term.
Liverpool are prepared to rip up their existing pay structure and it is possible Suarez could expect to double his £100,000-a-week, incentivised deal signed in August 2012 if the negotiations prove successful.
Ayre is being proactive, while his trip to Spain shows just how far relations between the player and the Anfield hierarchy have thawed since the summer when Suarez agitated for a move to Arsenal and accused the club of going back on their word that he could leave.
Ian Ayre is confident of striking a deal with Suarez to ensure he remains out of Madrid's clutches.
Suarez was made captain for Sunday’s 5-0 win over Tottenham, which lifted them to second in the Premier League, and has publicly thanked the club’s fans for the support they have shown since he returned from a ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic.
The main obstacle in sealing a contract extension will be the clause that triggered the unrest in the first place, with Suarez and long-term adviser Guardiola believing a bid of more than £40m would allow him to leave, hence Arsenal’s strategic offer of £40,000,001.
Their interpretation of the clause was proved to be inaccurate by Liverpool’s lawyers and the Professional Footballers’ Association and allowed owner John W Henry to make the stand to not sell the player.
Guardiola and Suarez will want a clause to be watertight in future in order to leave the door ajar for Real’s potential interest, while Liverpool would press for a figure that more accurately reflects the player’s market value.
Yet with Suarez content on Merseyside, and buoyed by Liverpool’s emergence as potential title contenders, there is a belief that an agreement can be made.
Suarez declared he was happy at Anfield as he accepted a Player of the Year award at the Emirates.
“The last four years we have been near the top four and this year it’s hopefully going to be better. It’s too early to say [if we can win the title] yet,” said Suarez, after receiving the fans’ player of the year award at the Football Supporters Federation awards at the Emirates on Monday.
“When Liverpool don’t play very well it is difficult. You try your best on the pitch and don’t win the game. If Liverpool don’t have the players it is difficult and I don’t continue at my level.
“But now they do and they help me. They know I’m important in the squad but they know they have to stay together. I am delighted that I, and my club, are finishing the year so strongly.”
LIVERPOOL officials flew to Spain yesterday to open contract talks as they step up their bid to keep hold of striker Luis Suarez.
By: Paul Joyce
Published: Wed, December 18, 2013
0Comments
Managing director Ian Ayre arrived in Barcelona for an opening round of discussions with Suarez’s adviser, Pere Guardiola, as Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, made clear their determination to secure the forward on a long-term deal.
Suarez has two and a half years left to run on his existing contract, but Liverpool recognise the need to reward the Uruguay international for his sensational performances and are prepared to make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.
They are also aware that Real Madrid, who courted Suarez last summer before breaking the world transfer record by signing Gareth Bale for £86million, retain an interest in a player who has scored 17 goals in 11 games this term.
Liverpool are prepared to rip up their existing pay structure and it is possible Suarez could expect to double his £100,000-a-week, incentivised deal signed in August 2012 if the negotiations prove successful.
Ayre is being proactive, while his trip to Spain shows just how far relations between the player and the Anfield hierarchy have thawed since the summer when Suarez agitated for a move to Arsenal and accused the club of going back on their word that he could leave.
Suarez was made captain for Sunday’s 5-0 win over Tottenham, which lifted them to second in the Premier League, and has publicly thanked the club’s fans for the support they have shown since he returned from a ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic.
The main obstacle in sealing a contract extension will be the clause that triggered the unrest in the first place, with Suarez and long-term adviser Guardiola believing a bid of more than £40m would allow him to leave, hence Arsenal’s strategic offer of £40,000,001.
Their interpretation of the clause was proved to be inaccurate by Liverpool’s lawyers and the Professional Footballers’ Association and allowed owner John W Henry to make the stand to not sell the player.
Guardiola and Suarez will want a clause to be watertight in future in order to leave the door ajar for Real’s potential interest, while Liverpool would press for a figure that more accurately reflects the player’s market value.
Yet with Suarez content on Merseyside, and buoyed by Liverpool’s emergence as potential title contenders, there is a belief that an agreement can be made.
“The last four years we have been near the top four and this year it’s hopefully going to be better. It’s too early to say [if we can win the title] yet,” said Suarez, after receiving the fans’ player of the year award at the Football Supporters Federation awards at the Emirates on Monday.
“When Liverpool don’t play very well it is difficult. You try your best on the pitch and don’t win the game. If Liverpool don’t have the players it is difficult and I don’t continue at my level.
“But now they do and they help me. They know I’m important in the squad but they know they have to stay together. I am delighted that I, and my club, are finishing the year so strongly.”
