Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez is currently one of the hottest properties in world soccer. Reuters

Luis Suarez continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid, as Liverpool desperately try to tie the forward down to a new contract. The Uruguayan has been linked with a move to the Bernabeu since the summer when he revealed he wanted to leave Liverpool and spoke of his desire to play for Madrid. But a bid was not forthcoming from the Spanish giants as they instead focused on the capture of Gareth Bale, while Liverpool refused to sell their star man to Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Reports this week, though, have claimed that Madrid are already lining up a bid for Suarez, although it won’t happen until next summer, with the club said to be wary of disrupting their squad in January.

Suarez’s form since being forced to stay at Liverpool is sure to be alerting the biggest clubs across Europe. The 26-year-old has scored 17 goals in just 11 appearances in the Premier League this season, including several spectacular strikes.

It is no surprise then that Liverpool are already attempting to prevent another summer of speculation about Suarez’s future, which this time could well conclude with his exit. According to various sources, managing director Ian Ayre flew to Barcelona this week to hold preliminary talks with Suarez’s agent Pere Guardiola, the brother of Bayern Munich boss Pep.

Ultimately, Suarez’s future is likely to be decided by whether Liverpool qualify for the Champions League this season. Inspired by Suarez, they currently sit second in the Premier League.

The rest of the speculation currently surrounding Real Madrid concerns players who may soon be on their way out of the club. The contract of midfielder Xabi Alonso is set to expire next summer, with the Daily Mirror reporting on rumors that he could return to the Premier League with either former club Liverpool or to be reunited with former manager Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. Meanwhile, reports in Spain have suggested he could go back to his first club Real Sociedad.

Madrid appear keen to keep the 32-year-old, with Spanish sports daily AS reporting that Los Merengues are increasing their efforts to try and persuade him to sign a new contract. He will be able to start negotiating with other clubs, with a view to a free transfer, from January.

Madrid appear less concerned about holding onto winger Angel di Maria. The player’s agent recently suggested that club president Florentino Perez was trying to engineer his transfer to Monaco. Marca, a publication with close ties to Real Madrid, has claimed that Di Maria now seems determined to force his exit from the Bernabeu. Several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Manchester City have also been linked with the Argentina international.

Finally, France Football claims that Paris Saint-Germain will target Madrid’s exceptional young French center-back Raphael Varane in next summer’s transfer window. Varane has featured sparingly for Madrid this season due to injury but made an impressive impact when establishing himself last term.

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