Aston Villa have reportedly emerged as the front-runner in the race to sign Luis Suarez, who has held talks with Steven Gerrard.
According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Luis Suarez could be set for a sensational return to the Premier League. With his contract at Atletico Madrid expiring at the end of the season, the 34-year-old Uruguayan striker has become a hot prospect in the market, with various clubs, including South American giants, interested in securing his services on a Bosman move.
However, Aston Villa have emerged as the front-runner, with Steven Gerrard holding talks with the former Barcelona forward. Suarez has now put a stop to offers from clubs like Palmeiras, Corinthians and La Liga champions Atletico Madrid in an attempt to focus on Aston Villa’s offer. The Premier League outfit is intent on signing the player on a free transfer in the summer.
After taking over from Dean Smith earlier in the season, Gerrard has kick-started something of a revolution at Aston Villa. There has been a noticeable improvement in the performances on the pitch, with the club now looking up towards the upper end of the table. More importantly, Aston Villa have shown greater ambition.
Gerrard has already brought in one of his former Liverpool teammates in Philippe Coutinho earlier in the January transfer window. The Brazilian joined Aston Villa on a loan deal from Barcelona, with the Villans having the option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
The Aston Villa boss is eyeing another big scalp in the form of Suarez. Although the Villans had brought in Danny Ings in the summer, the former Southampton striker has struggled in front of goal this season, which has reflected badly on the team’s overall performances.
It has accentuated the need for a new striker, with Suarez fitting the bill perfectly. With a tally of scoring 82 goals in 133 competitive appearances for Liverpool, the 34-year-old Uruguayan has a proven track record in England. His years of experience could be massively useful for Aston Villa.
That said, Suarez is not available for the sale in January and can only be an option in the summer transfer window. So a lot could depend on how the Villans perform during the second half of the campaign, although the forward’s good relationship with Gerrard might just be enough to convince him to switch to Villa Park next season.
