Newcastle United are reportedly considering signing former Barcelona striker Luis Suarez when his contract with Atletico Madrid runs out in the summer.
According to a report from El Nacional, Newcastle United are mulling over the possibility of signing Luis Suarez on a free transfer in the summer after his contract with Atletico Madrid expires.
Suarez is widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in the modern-day and rightly so, considering his achievements with Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Having first made his foray into European football with FC Groningen, the Uruguayan burst onto the scenes at Ajax before securing a move to Liverpool in January 2011.
The striker enjoyed a prolific stint in England before moving to Barcelona in the summer of 2014, where his game hit a whole new level. Suarez formed a deadly partnership with Lionel Messi at Camp Nou, helping the Catalans to great success. In 283 matches for the Blaugrana, the 34-year-old plundered 195 goals and 113 assists, winning several titles and trophies.
However, Suarez was unceremoniously forced out of the club in the summer of 2020, as he joined Atletico Madrid. The centre-forward enjoyed a stunning debut season for Los Rojiblancos, helping them to the La Liga title. His form has somewhat dwindled in the ongoing campaign, with fitness problems bogging him down, while his relationship with manager Diego Simeone also seems to have strained.
Suarez’s contract with Atletico will run out at the end of the season, but an extension is unlikely to be forthcoming. Recent reports have linked the 34-year-old with a shock return to Barcelona, and Newcastle United have also emerged as a suitor for the Uruguayan international.
The Magpies are building a new project under their new owners and are targeting marquee additions to their roster in the summer. They must successfully navigate the threat of relegation from the Premier League before their ambitious plans for next season can take shape.
Given their current goalscoring woes, the Tynesiders are expected to bring in a new centre-forward in January to support Callum Wilson. But, Newcastle could certainly do with a player like Suarez to lead their project next season, provided they survive the drop to the EFL Championship.
The Toon have the financial clout to hand him a lucrative contract to lure him to St. James’ Park. However, the report adds that Suarez prefers a move to MLS to wind down his career once he is done at Atletico Madrid. Whether Newcastle can convince him to reconsider his stance remains to be seen, although any move would be dependent on them staying up in the Premier League.