Top 5 possible destinations for Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez is one of the greatest strikers to have played the game. The Uruguayan broke through at Ajax before making his mark with Liverpool and then at Barcelona. He currently plays for Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Known for his determined approach to the game, Suarez is a combative striker. Despite his relatively short frame, he can hold his own, create chances and finish them with poise. His two-year contract at Atletico Madrid will expire this summer. Still, the striker wants to continue playing at the highest level in 2022/23 in order to arrive at the Qatar World Cup – where Uruguay will face Portugal, Ghana and South Korea – in the best possible condition.

The 35-year-old is, therefore, looking for a new football club and several teams have been linked so far. Without further ado, here are the five clubs Luis Suarez could join in 2022 –

Barcelona

Suarez represented Barca for six season

Barcelona is the club where Luis Suarez enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career. Besides winning the UEFA Champions League in 2017, Suarez formed a formidable partnership alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in the attack.

Due to internal issues and disagreements over wage demands, Suarez left the Blaugrana in 2020 to sign for rivals Atletico Madrid. Since then, the fortunes of the two clubs could not have been in greater contrast.

With manager Xavi already familiar with Luis Suarez, it could help bring the dressing room closer if the Uruguayan signs for the club.

Arsenal

If the Gunners were to swoop for Suarez, it would not be the first time they had shown a serious interest in the prolific marksman. Back in 2013, while still with Liverpool, Arsenal cheekily activated the striker’s release clause by bidding over the threshold to the tune of £40million plus £1.

Mikel Arteta is likely to be in need of attacking reinforcements over the next 12 months, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, and Eddie Nketiah all pondering exits, among others.

And as a free agent in the summer, a link-up between Suarez and Arsenal could finally bring together the relationship which nearly came to be nine years ago.

Aston Villa

New boss Steven Gerrard has already demonstrated his pulling power by recruiting Coutinho, the third-most-expensive player of all time earlier in this season. The former Liverpool captain could flex his muscles once again to bring in Suarez who was, at one point, history’s third-most expensive signing.

The boss at Villa Park has previously labelled Luis Suarez as “possibly the best player I ever played with”. In fact, Villa fans would inevitably be left pinching themselves after seeing Coutinho and Suarez linking up at Villa Park.

With a team like theirs, it wouldn’t surprise many if Villa were to build a squad worthy of challenging for a top-six spot next season. Should they sign Luis Suarez, their task could become easier.

West Ham

West Ham boss Moyes has operated with a squad short of strikers this season 

According to reports, West Ham was once in contention to sign Luka Jovic from Real Madrid, a man once compared to Suarez in playstyle. No matter how off the mark that assessment may be, what better way to sign a striker reminiscent of Suarez than to sign Suarez himself. 

David Moyes has operated with a squad short of strikers this season – Michael Antonio has played the vast majority of games this season and Jarrod Bowen has deputised in his absence. And that’s the sole reason that the once high-flying Hammers now sit at the seventh position in the league table.

That opens up an opportunity for the club to put in a cheeky bid for Luis Suarez as a stop-gap option for the coming season. The Uruguayan striker could prove to be an astute piece of business, and share the workload and minutes with Antonio. Furthermore, his prior experience in the Premier League with Liverpool would allow him to settle quickly and make an impact.

Inter Miami

According to reports, Suarez is keen on making a move to the MLS, with David Beckham’s Inter Miami as one of his preferred destinations. According to the same report, Suarez in fact hopeful of convincing his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi to make the MLS move alongside him.

Inter Miami is owned by David Beckham, with the club having been founded in 2018. It’s one of MLS’ newest clubs, but the allure of partnering with Beckham and playing in the lively city of Miami is sure to turn some heads when it comes to a potential MLS move.

Many of Europe’s top talents have been linked with future swaps for the MLS as they enter the twilight of their career, and it seems Suarez may be the next in line to make a move out West. Acquiring Suarez on a free transfer would be an absolute coup for Beckham and Inter Miami, though the Uruguayan is sure to command some hefty wages.