Luis Suarez talks his way out of Liverpool and into Real Madrid
Controversial Uruguayan close to £40m Madrid switch, and Carlos Tevez could join him
LIVERPOOL must wish that striker Luis Suarez would keep his big mouth shut sometimes. Having used it to hurl racist insults at opponents and bite his rivals during his time on Merseyside the Uruguayan troublemaker is now on the verge of talking his way out of Anfield.
There were rumblings of discontent earlier in the week when the controversial forward told a radio station in his native Uruguay that he was fed up with his treatment at the hands of the British media and admitted it "would be hard" to turn down an offer from Real Madrid.
That appears to have alerted the Spanish giants to his availability and, according to the Mirror, they have now rustled up a four-year offer for the toothy 26-year-old, worth £140,000 a week with more on the table, depending on goals, appearances and silverware.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
All this was despite assurances from Suarez's agent, Pere Guardiola, brother of Bayern Munich manager Pep, who yesterday insisted that the Uruguayan was happy at Liverpool and had absolutely no intention of leaving.
Fast forward to a press conference ahead of Uruguay's match against France this weekend, where Suarez shot off his mouth yet again, incensing the dwindling band of Reds fans who still have any time for him, and sealing his fate.
Blowing his agent's words out of the water, the striker announced: "It's a good moment for a change of environment because of all I've been through in England." And, according to the Daily Mail, he followed it up by stating: "My reason for leaving is not the money. If it were the money I would have left already. My main reason is my family and my image."
An offer of £40m to Liverpool should be enough to bring down the curtain on the Uruguayan's Anfield career.
It looks as though Real Madrid might be gluttons for punishment, because Suarez isn't the only mardy South American on their radar. According to the Daily Express the Spanish side are also interested in signing Carlos Tevez from Manchester City.
The 29-year-old Argentine whose relationship with former City boss Roberto Mancini was prickly to say the least could be about to follow the Italian out of the Etihad.
He had been linked with Juventus, PSG and Monaco, bit now a move to Madrid appears to be on the cards.
It's good news for Spurs fans though. If Real do buy bad-boys Suarez and Tevez, they are unlikely to have any cash left for mild-mannered Welshman Gareth Bale.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
2024: the year of romantasies
In the Spotlight A generation of readers that grew up on YA fantasy series are getting their kicks from the spicy subgenre
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
US won its war on 'murder hornets,' officials say
Speed Read The announcement comes five years after the hornets were first spotted in the US
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
California declares bird flu emergency
Speed Read The emergency came hours after the nation's first person with severe bird flu infection was hospitalized
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The wit and wisdom of Sven-Göran Eriksson
In Depth The first foreign coach to manage England on football, life and death
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
In the Spotlight A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated