FC Barcelona Are Blocking Transfer Of $82M Striker, Who Is Not Wanted By Koeman: Report

FC Barcelona are reportedly blocking Luis Suarez’s move to Atletico Madrid at the ongoing summer transfer window.

Spanish media outlet Onda Cero reported Barcelona are against Suarez joining Atletico Madrid for free. Atletico are seeing Suarez as a replacement for Alvaro Morata, who is set to move to Juventus on loan.

The Onda Cero report also revealed Suarez has informed Barcelona that if he is not allowed to join Atletico, he’ll stay with the Nou Camp side. The situation could get tricky at Barcelona because Suarez has not been included in the plans of new head coach Ronald Koeman, who had informed the player about the same over a mere phone call before the start of the 2020-21 season.

According to Onda Cero’s sports journalist Alfredo Martinez, who has a credible record of breaking transfer news, Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu and Suarez had an agreement which stated the Uruguayan cannot sign for top-tier clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City and PSG for free. Even though Atletico was not included in the list, Bartomeu has convinced the club’s board members that letting Suarez join Atletico would be a mistake.

Meanwhile, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claimed an agreement has been reached between Suarez and Atletico Madrid, which includes a two-season offer for the Uruguayan striker, who will soon turn 34. The star striker has been in contact with Atletico’s CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and head coach Diego Simeone and the club is hoping to pull the dream free transfer off at the underway summer market. The report also stated Atletico have made it clear that it can sign Suarez only if he arrived as a free agent. If Suarez is not allowed to join Atletico, the club is prepared to chase Cavani to reinforce its side.

Earlier, Suarez was heavily linked with a move to Serie A champions Juventus, where he could have become the 14th man to play alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the transfer did not go forward due to the player’s passport issues.

Suarez moved from Liverpool FC to Barcelona for $82 million in the summer of 2014. Over the last six seasons, the Uruguayan tasted immense success as a part of the club’s front line along with Messi, helping Barcelona to many trophies, including the Champions League and four La Liga titles.