Report: Club now resigned to summer exit as Liverpool intensify interest in £70m goal machine
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Liverpool are reportedly preparing to step up their interest in Sporting centre-forward Luis Suarez ahead of the summer transfer window.The Reds are on the hunt for attacking signings, with wide positions set to be the main focus.However, Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha have claimed that a new central striker could be in Liverpool‘s sights as well, and Suarez reportedly features high on their list. How many points do you think Liverpool will finish with this season?
It's going to be a LOT less than last year 😬 Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images Liverpool battling Newcastle to sign SuarezAlthough the Reds are well-stocked in central areas with Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, this season has shown that Arne Slot could do with a little more in reserve.There have been suggestions that Liverpool will mainly deploy a 4-2-2-2 system next season, and that would mean Isak and Ekitike will need some back-up.According to CDM, that could be Suarez, who has hit a whopping 33 goals in 42 matches for Sporting after replacing Viktor Gyokeres last summer.READ MORE: Liverpool ready to explore move for ‘spectacular’ Barcelona defender this summerPhoto by Bruno de Carvalho/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesThere is said to be a feeling within the Lisbon club that Suarez will be on his way to the Premier League this summer, with Liverpool and Newcastle both reported to be showing ‘intense interest’ in the Colombian.Suarez is said to have a £70m release clause woven into his Sporting contract, but the Portuguese champions may reportedly be willing to accept around £50m for the 28-year-old.Sporting president Frederico Varandas is claimed to be open to the idea of selling Suarez, but only after the World Cup, where his value may shoot up once again.Analysis: Suarez surely too expensive for LiverpoolAs Liverpool plan more attacking additions, they should not overlook the potential of a new centre-forward signing.If Slot does indeed choose to go down the 4-2-2-2 route, he will need strikers far more than wingers, and, as this season has ably demonstrated, Isak in particular cannot be relied upon to play every game. Liverpool can only sign ONE England star – who gets your vote Anthony Gordon or Morgan Rogers… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Eddie Keogh/The FA/Michael Regan In terms of profile alone, Suarez seems like he’d be a decent fit, but there is simply no way Liverpool will spend £50m or more on a player who turns 29 in December.Having hit more than 30 goals for Spanish second division side Almeria last season, and stepped up to a much bigger club this year, Suarez is clearly a late bloomer with a lot of talent.But if Liverpool are to bring a back-up striker to the club, it will either be a young player with high potential or an older star on the cheap.
Suarez has replaced Gyokeres brilliantly at the Estadio Jose Alvalade this season, and Sporting are right to be looking for a big fee to let him go, but we simply can’t see Liverpool paying it. Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox