Luiz Suarez has said his farewell to Barcelona’s fans after completing his free transfer from Barcelona to a rival club, Atletico Madrid. He said he knew that the new manager of Barcelona Ronald Koeman would want him to leave the club but he tried to stay despite interest from other clubs.
The 33-year-old Uruguay forward spent six years at FC Barcelona and scored a total number of 198 goals and provided 109 assists. He won thirteen major titles with the club including four La Liga and One UEFA Champions titles.
Suarez shared his last month’s experience in Barcelona saying: “It was a crazy month, the last one, many wrong things were published which made me angry but everyone knows about my relationship with [Lionel] Messi. When I arrived I knew all about him and after six years we have an amazing relationship, I leave very proudly.
“I already expected Koeman’s call because I was warned about that, I could accept this even though I had a contract, we must accept that decision.
“It looks ironic but when Barca told me the coach didn’t want me I received a lot of calls and offers but I still felt able to challenge at La Liga level against Barcelona and Real Madrid, I never had a doubt.
“I still think I am able to perform at my best in La Liga. I am leaving in this way but I still have goals to show I can still perform at the top.
“Sometimes a club or a player needs to change and in this case, the coach didn’t want me, I leave with the feeling of an accomplished duty, beating big Barcelona legends [in the list of all-time top Barcelona scorers] is something I never expected but I am happy for this.”
Below are other updates from the transfer market;
Alex Telles transfer to Manchester United
Manchester United wants Porto to reduce their asking price for their 27-year-old left-back Alex Telles. The Portuguese club wants £36.6 million before the club can allow the Brazil international to leave the club. However, the defender does not care about the fees, he wants the deal to scale through this summer.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s transfer saga
Kalidou Koulibaly is still the most sought after defender in the transfer market. Liverpool, Manchester City, and Paris St-Germain are among the top clubs that want the services of the Senegal international. To be at advantage, Liverpool reportedly want to use their Senegalese forward Sadio Mane to convince his countryman to choose Liverpool ahead of other suitors.
Antonio Rudiger’s transfer saga
Antonio Rudiger is not settled in the present set-up of Chelsea football club. This has heavily linked him with a move out of the club. Among the clubs that have shown interest in his services, Paris Saint Germain seem more serious in signing the 27-year-old Germany defender on a season-long loan.
Lucas Torreira’s transfer update
Lucas Torreira has been in the transfer market for a while now. Amidst all his suitors, Atletico Madrid have shown more interest in bringing the 23-year-old Uruguay midfielder to Spain this summer.
Joe Rodon’s transfer update
West Ham United have joined the race for the signature of Swansea City’s Wales center-back Joe Rodon. Before the London club joined the race, Manchester United have been more serious in trying to acquire the services of the youngster.
Aston Villa’s plan for Chelsea’s players
Reports have been making the rounds that Aston Villa are interested in the services of two Chelsea’s English midfielders, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley. Unfortunately for the club, they can not sign the two players on loan in the same transfer window due to Premier League rules. Hence, they can either sign 24-year-old Loftus-Cheek or Barkley on loan.
Wesley Fofana’s transfer today
Nearly 48 hours after Saint-Etienne rejected Leicester City’s €32 million bid for the services of 19-year-old French center-back Wesley Fofana, another Premier League club, West Ham United have submitted a £33 million bid for the same player.
Sergino Dest’s transfer updates
Sergino Dest has attracted the interest of two of the biggest clubs in Europe – Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The clubs have reportedly made separate offers for the services of the 19-year-old Ajax’s United States right-back.
Mario Gotze’s transfer update
Bayern Munich have shown interest in the services of 28-year-old German forward Mario Gotze. The footballer is currently without a club after failing to extend his contract with Borussia Dortmund at end of last season. The latest updates say Bayern has contacted the representatives of the player.
Santiago Arias is in Germany
All things being equal, Santiago Arias could play for German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen this summer. The 28-year-old Atletico Madrid’s Colombian right-back is already in Germany for his medical which is the last major process for him to fully become Bayer’s star.
