Where will Luis Suárez be playing next season?
Uruguay striker Luis Suárez has been inundated with offers after leaving Atlético but his preference is to remain in Europe ahead of the World Cup.
Luis Suárez has decided to leave Atlético Madrid after two seasons at the Metropolitano, 34 goals and a Liga title. The Uruguay striker is now seeking a new challenge and his intention is to remain in Europe but offers have been pouring in for the 35-year-old, who has shown few signs of slowing down after making the switch from Barcelona in 2020 when he was told in no uncertain terms that he did not feature in the plans of Ronald Koeman. That simply inspired Suárez to help Atlético to the title in his debut season in Madrid, when he scored 21 Liga goals as Diego Simeone’s side pipped Real Madrid to the title, with Barça seven points adrift. Having scored over 500 career goals, Suárez has attracted interest from Europe and the Americas.
Suárez main priority is to keep competing at the highest level with a view to arriving at the World Cup in peak form, but he has received offers from MLS, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Ecuador. The most recent confirmed interest came from River Plate, whose president Jorge Brito and coach, Marcelo Gallardo, stated they had called Suárez to try and persuade him to move to the Monumental: “We have contacted Luis Suárez, now it’s up to him,” said Brito.
Suárez not ready for MLS yet
Perhaps the most optimistic offer came from CS Emelec, of the Ecuadorian Serie A. The club is currently in the middle of a presidential election and one of the candidates has promised to try and land Suárez for a tilt at the Copa Libertadores. Brazilian top flight sides Corinthians and Botafogo have also been linked with a move for the Uruguay international. MLS is also interested, but Suárez sees that as an option for later in his career.
Ajax, Villa, Atalanta and Fiorentina offers
Suárez has been sounded out by two logical destinations: Ajax, where he played from 2007 to 2011 before moving to Liverpool, where he formed a lethal understanding with Steven Gerrard, now manager of Aston Villa, who have also been in touch. In Italy, Atalanta and Fiorentina have expressed an interest, and Fernando Muslera has also been trying to persuade his international teammate to join him at Galatasaray.
Real Sociedad have thrown their hat into the ring in case Suárez would prefer to remain in Spain amid interest from across Europe in Sweden striker Alexander Isak.