After his stunning return to the Premier League following his 10-game ban at the tail end of last season, Luis Suarez’ stock in the transfer market has risen even higher over the last few weeks.
That may be a good thing for Liverpool... as according to various reports their star Uruguayan striker is still keen to leave the Anfield club and has his heart set on a dream move to Real Madrid.
Suarez, 26, repeatedly confirmed his wish to leave Liverpool over the summer as one of the longest transfer saga’s in recent PL history, and that’s saying something, played out with clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea hovering and the former making a bid that was rejected for Liverpool’s prized possession.
But if Suarez continues to score, he’s bagged six in four PL games already after his sublime hat trick against West Brom on Saturday, can the Reds afford to not cash in on a want-away player now? Maybe, even if they don’t want to sell Suarez, the time is right.
(MORE: Liverpool 4-1 West Brom - Suarez hat trick sinks Baggies, video)
As talk about the January transfer window is already reverberating around clubs, media outlets and terraces across Europe, Suarez’ name will be on the lips of many as top European clubs circle to snap him up. Liverpool are desperate to keep their main man, and I’m sure that will still be the case if Brendan Rodgers’ side are challenging for the title come January time.
Yet if Real Madrid, who are eager to offload plenty of stars to stop crippling debts mounting up, were to offer one of Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and Sami Khedira, plus cash, for Suarez, that has to be hard to turn down?
From a business standpoint it may make sense, but in terms of the ambition of the club, it would reek of settling for second-best. If Liverpool want to become title-contenders again, Suarez needs to stay and American owner John W. Henry needs to keep firm in the brilliant stance he made over the summer by simply hanging a ‘not for sale’ sign around Suarez’ neck.
It worked, and proved the club now has the power in the situation and Suarez realizes he must keep performing on the pitch for the Reds if any massive move to Madrid will ever come off.
Rumors of Suarez leaving Anfield are about to start heating up again, and expect them to intensify between now and the end of January.
If Liverpool are serious about winning the title and making a splash in the PL, their firm stance of a ‘no sell’ must remain. Suarez’ goals and that cutting edge and ‘X-factor’ he provides up top will be the difference between Liverpool being in the top six or challenging for the PL crown. Their squad may not be quite strong enough to do the latter, but with Suarez’ on board they’ll be a damn good bet to finish in the top four.
