Barcelona News: Ronald Koeman Vows To Utilize Luis Suarez If Juventus Deal Fails

Ronald Koeman is making sure that Luis Suarez will not be left out in Barcelona if the latter’s transfer to Juventus does not pan out.

Suarez was close to completing a move to Turin; however, certain complexities in acquiring an Italian passport appears to be a major snag to the deal.

"I've spoken to (Suarez) about his future and we are waiting to see whether or not he leaves, we still don't know," Koeman told TV3 after Barca beats Girona, 3-1, in a friendly match on Wednesday, per Sky Sports.

"But we respect every contract here and if in the end he does not find a club and he stays, he will be just like any other player in the squad."

Since the arrival of Koeman in Barcelona, it has been clear that Suarez won’t be part of the Dutch manager’s plans for the Catalan giants.

The Uruguayan striker had insisted that he wanted to stay at Camp Nou but still eventually agreed on personal terms with the Old Lady early this month, an earlier La Gazzetta Dello Sport report stated.

The said agreement was worth around $12 million per season over a three-year contract, according to Goal. The but the terms could simply vanish in flames with Juventus “growing pessimistic” as to the consummation of the deal.

“There is a growing feeling with Juventus that the bureaucratic process required to secure a passport for Suarez will take too long with the new season rapidly approaching,” the report claimed.

“With Juve's allotment of spots for foreign players filled up, Suarez will require an Italian passport to be able to join Andrea Pirlo's side.”

Another reason that Suarez’s move to Italy would unlikely come into fruition is the challenge for Barcelona to gather enough cash to terminate the 33-year-old’s contract that is set to expire in 2021.

The Goal report further revealed that it would cost around $17 million for Barcelona to officially part ways with the veteran superstar.

On the flip side, Suarez staying in Barcelona could do more good than harm for the club despite Koeman’s plans sans him. With Lionel Messi demanding the club management to keep the Uruguay international, having the wish granted could be enough to compel the six-time Ballon d’Or in staying at Camp Nou beyond 2021.