By Simon Wright – Follow
me on Twitter @Siwri88
The future of
Luis Suarez at Liverpool has been called into question throughout the
summer. This week, the Uruguayan
attempted to force a transfer away from Merseyside, but is finding it very
difficult to persuade his current club to sell him to Arsenal. In doing this, his behaviour towards the Reds
has been insulting, disgusting and shows a total lack of respect. And these are my feelings on the saga in this
week’s edition of The Transfer Tavern.
The first
signs that Suarez (pictured) was unhappy came as far back as June, when he hinted to radio
stations in his homeland that he wanted to move away from Liverpool. Since returning from international duty in
the Confederations Cup, he has done nothing to endear himself to the LFC fans
who have stuck by him through thick and thin.
Suarez has
faced the wrath of the disciplinary authorities on far too many occasions for
the liking of many within the game. He
was found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra in December 2011 and banned
for eight games. He stooped to a new low
in April when he decided he would attempt to take a chunk out of the arm of
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic. The
bite led to another 10-game suspension, and he still has six of these matches
to serve domestically.
On Wednesday
night, he gave two interviews to national newspapers expressing his desire to
leave and accusing the club of double standards. Suarez claims that when he signed a new
four-year contract last summer, a clause was placed in the deal that would
allow him to leave for £40m this summer if Liverpool failed to qualify for the
Champions League.
All he has
done is completely alienated himself. It
is unlikely the Anfield faithful will welcome him back in open arms like they
did when they gave him a round of applause when making a cameo appearance in
Steven Gerrard’s recent testimonial against Olympiakos, a gesture that the
striker chose to ignore.
Liverpool
manager Brendan Rodgers has come out fighting and told Suarez to train alone
and away from the first team. After
Saturday’s friendly defeat to Celtic in Dublin, the manager stated that until
he apologised, the Uruguayan will not be allowed back into the fold. Not only has Suarez hit the self-destruct
button, he has pressed the explosion button.
If he doesn’t back down, he faces the prospect of missing the World Cup next
summer for Uruguay by not making a single appearance for Liverpool in 2013-14.
Reds owner
John W. Henry has insisted their star asset is not for sale and called
Arsenal’s pursuit of the player ‘ludicrous.’
Liverpool have been in this game long enough and will not sell Suarez to
a serious rival for the coveted fourth spot in the Premier League this
season. Real Madrid don’t seem
interested, and with the likes of Barcelona, PSG and Juventus going for other
options in the close season, Suarez’s childish behaviour means he could be
totally frozen out.
Arsenal will
have to break into the Bank of England if they want Suarez. If I was Arsene Wenger, he needs to buy but
turn to other options. Liverpool will
not sell; it is as simple as that. While
it is understandable that Suarez wants to play in the Champions League and win
trophies, he needs to learn how to handle these situations. Gareth Bale might have told the Tottenham
hierarchy he wants to leave the club if a bid comes in from Real Madrid, but
the Welshman has shown class and dignity in turning up to train and keeping his
thoughts to himself, not running to the hungry media at the first
opportunity.
Liverpool would want at
least £50m for Suarez, and selling Fernando Torres to Chelsea was an astute
piece of business two years ago, when you think Torres’ form for his new club has
been far too inconsistent.
If Arsenal
want their target, that’s fine but they might need to install either a zoo or a
mental health unit at their training ground for Suarez. The guy is a complete nutcase, and has no
respect for anyone in the game. As a
Liverpool fan myself, I want the troublemaker away from the club sooner rather
than later, but for the right price.
Arsenal’s valuation of the player is a joke and I’m pleased the club has
taken a strong stance on Suarez’s actions.
He remains a Liverpool player and I think he probably will remain now
for this season, but unless he apologises, don’t expect the number seven shirt
to be worn a lot this season on Merseyside.
One player
who did leave Liverpool with best wishes this week is Jay Spearing. The home-grown midfielder completed a
permanent switch to Bolton Wanderers on a four-year deal.
It has been a
frustrating summer for Liverpool’s great rivals Manchester United. Their number one transfer target has been
Cesc Fabregas. This story has reached
its conclusion and the Spaniard is staying put with Barcelona. Despite three bids being rejected, Fabregas
remains committed to the Catalans and confirmed his intention to stay on the
club’s pre-season tour of Malaysia.
David Moyes will have to turn to another target, and he might return to
his old club Everton to raid them for Maroualine Fellaini. The dynamic Belgian midfielder is available
for £22.5m as part of a release clause in his contract, but that expires on
Friday so he better make his move quick or faces paying double the price.
QPR have
begun to trim their wage bill substantially.
Anton Ferdinand’s contract has been terminated, and both Loic Remy and
Adel Taarabt have made moves back into the Premier League on loan. Remy has joined Newcastle United, the club he
nearly joined in January before heading for the Londoners due to a bigger wage
package. Taarabt has linked up with his
old Tottenham boss Martin Jol by opting to sign for Fulham on a similar season
long loan deal.
Another
player on the move this week was the Republic of Ireland international James
McClean. McClean has taken a wage cut
and dropped down a division to join FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic. His time at Sunderland started well, but
faded as problems off-the-field, especially with his use of social media took
their toll. The £1.5m deal is a bargain
for Owen Coyle, and McClean could make his debut for his new employers in
Sunday’s FA Community Shield match with Manchester United.
Lastly,
Cardiff City have broken their transfer record again to sign Gary Medel from
Sevilla. The midfielder has joined the
newly promoted side for £11m, surpassing the fee for Steven Caulker’s transfer
last week. Malky Mackay has done well to
move quickly for Medel after missing out on Etienne Capoue who is on the verge
of a move to Tottenham.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN THIS WEEK?
It could be a
quiet week in the transfer market or a very busy one as the new Premier League
season dawns ever closer.
I would
expect moves for two Moroccan players to go through, and they are Marouane
Chamakh’s move to Crystal Palace from Arsenal on a free transfer, and Oussama
Aissaidi making a loan move from Liverpool to QPR.
John Arne Riise is also expected to leave Fulham, after being told he can go on a free
transfer. The German club Werder Bremen
are favourites to land his services.
Should Capoue
complete his deal to go to Tottenham, both Tom Huddlestone and Scott Parker
will be made available for transfer.
Parker might end up back at his former club West Ham, who are also pursuing
Liverpool midfielder Stewart Downing, whilst Huddlestone is thought to be
interesting the hierarchy at Hull City.
Lastly, Scott
Sinclair is set to end his terrible year at Manchester City. The youngster is subject to interest from
both West Brom and Southampton. Both
clubs though prefer a loan deal, with an option to buy the winger. It is believed City would prefer an immediate
permanent transfer.
Next week’s
transfer tavern will focus on the Wayne Rooney debate as his Manchester United
career reaches crunch point.
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