The former Everton boss was announced as Quique Setien’s successor last week and he’s wasted no time in clearing the mess that was left for him at the Camp Nou. Reports from Spain claim that Suarez’s contract has been terminated, with former club Ajax linked with the Uruguayan international. Three other stars now look set to join Suarez on the way out after Ronald Koeman informed them that he wants them to leave.
Alongside Suarez, Ronald Koeman has informed Umtiti, Rakitic and Vidal to find new clubs this summer because they won’t be part of his plan for next season and could perhaps even have their contracts terminated. Koeman is also trying to convince captain Lionel Messi to commit his future to the club and he is also ready to welcome Philippe Coutinho back to Barcelona.
Should exits materialise for the players in question, that should give Koeman more financial flexibility and space in the squad to bring in new faces to fit his ideas and plans moving forward. Koeman’s ruthlessness hasn’t extended to other names who were perceived to be on the way out of the club though.
Suarez is reportedly agitated by Koeman’s call because he doesn’t believe a one-minute phone call is an appropriate way to treat a player who has done so much for the club over the past six years. Barcelona has seen Suarez shine ever since his arrival from Liverpool in 2014. The Catalan giants had to wait to see the forward in action but he proved to be worth the time and effort, propelling them to the treble under Luis Enrique in his first season in charge.
Lautaro Martinez looks like the most probable option to replace Suarez although Koeman is a big fan of his compatriot Memphis Depay who he managed at the national team level. Another L’Oranje member in Donny van de Beek is also wanted by Koeman as he begins a rebuilding project at the Camp Nou.
