The Hard Tackle takes a look at three potential destinations for Luis Suarez, who is facing an uncertain future at Barcelona and is tipped to take the next step in his career.
Slowly but surely, Barcelona are moving one step closer towards a complete transition. Prior to the start of the upcoming campaign, all of their old guards including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets among many others will be aged 31 or above.
Especially in the attacking department, the club has lacked reliable long-term options, having appeared too over-reliant on the services of Messi and Suarez. So, there is no wonder why the Spanish giants are desperate to sign young attacking superstars like Lautaro Martinez among others.
And while Messi is expected to still play a key role in the Barcelona frontline in the coming years, Suarez has shown clear signs of decline. The Uruguayan international has suffered from numerous fitness problems, notably missing out on a chunk of the ongoing campaign due to knee surgery.
The ex-Liverpool ace has still maintained an incredible scoring record. But, with his contract expiring at the end of next season, it won’t be surprising to see Barcelona cashing in on Suarez this summer. And here, at the Hard Tackle, we will explore three potential options for the veteran attacker as he seeks to take the next step in his career.
The normie option: Inter Miami
It is fair to say that MLS has always been the go-to option for any ageing top-class footballer. It does not offer a wide range of competitive football, but it certainly offers a lucrative paycheck and the prospect of living in the fabled USA. Suarez himself has not been shy in ruling out a potential move to Major League Soccer, stating it a”nice possibility“.
No other MLS club could suit Suarez as much as Inter Miami, a club co-owned by former Manchester United icon David Beckham. The newly formed club is desperate to sign a star in their ranks, having notably been linked with moves for James Rodriguez and Arturo Vidal,
Suarez could be the ideal marquee signing for Inter Miami. The Barcelona star has the success as well as the experience that will surely inspire its players as the club looks to become the new force in American football.
Even for the player, a move to Inter Miami serves a lot of prospects. The city of Miami, in Texas, has a significant Hispanic population, meaning the Uruguayan won’t have any language barrier. And with no other stars playing for the club, the franchise will be able to offer a significant paycheck to the revered striker.
The “oh lord, here we go again” option: Manchester United
If Suarez wants to maintain the level of competence throughout his post-Barcelona career, a move to Manchester United will make sense.
Although, in fairness, the “still mediocre” nature of the United team means the job will be even more difficult than it was at Barcelona. Not to mention, the transfer wouldn’t go down well with the Liverpool fans.
However, from a pure sporting perspective, United will be an excellent destination for Suarez. The Red Devils have not been shy in signing ageing strikers over the years, notably securing the services of Radamel Falcao and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They’ve recently signed Odion Ighano in the January transfer window.
The ex-Watford star is set to return to China in the summer. Suarez, in that regard, could replace the Nigerian and form a deadly offensive partnership with Marcus Rashford. His predatory instincts would combine well with the pace and tenacity of the English international.
But more importantly, coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could really use an experienced head like Suarez in an otherwise young Manchester United setup. The club has shown promise under the Norwegian and the potential arrival of Suarez could act as a catalyst for steady growth.
“Really”: PSG
Paris Saint-Germain is unlikely, but an excellent destination for Suarez for multiple reasons. The French outfit is struggling with Mauro Icardi while Edinson Cavani’s contract is coming to an end. It will likely force them to scour the market for a new striker, preferably someone experienced, who can partner the deadly Kylian Mbappe.
None fits the bill better than Suarez. The Uruguayan is an ideal replacement for his compatriot, thanks to his experience and style of play. He can definitely strike a deadly offensive partnership with the likes Mbappe, Angel Di Maria and Neymar, although the Brazilian has been linked with a return to Barcelona.
Unlike Manchester United, PSG will be able to offer Suarez the opportunity to still win silverware and take part in the UEFA Champions League. Moreover, they can also come up with a lucrative contract, which is oftentimes the primary factor for an ageing footballing star.
