KEY POINTS

  • Luis Suarez deemed surplus, hunting for new home
  • Multiple teams expected to go after Suarez
  • Barcelona feeling the heat as revamp under Koeman starts

FC Barcelona plans to revamp for next season and some names are on the way out. One of the familiar names reportedly set to hit the market is Luis Suarez. The 33-year-old has been deemed as surplus to the club's requirements and his contract will among those getting cut.

Last season, Suarez accounted for 21 goals for Barca. Unfortunately, the effort was not enough to prolong his stay at Camp Nou with new boss Ronald Koeman having other plans in mind. Aside from the 33-year-old striker, other players believed to be on the way out include Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

On the part of Suarez, the Uruguayan still has a year left in his current deal. However, RAC1 reported that Suarez will instead leave on a free transfer this summer. And it appears that talks between Suarez and other clubs have already started following a brief phone call with Koeman.

The run of Suarez is well-decorated, having won four La Liga titles, four Copa del Reys, the World Cup and the Champions League. But it appears that Barcelona's Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich was a wake-up call and an overhaul is forthcoming. Suarez's departure is overshadowed with reports that Lionel Messi is also on the way out.

The football world went abuzz recently with Messi also telling Barca that he wants out. That enraged fans, most pinning the blame on club president Josep Maria Bartomeu for his unusual approach to planning and recruitment, CNN reported.

It is no secret that Messi's relationship with Bartomeu is pretty much strained. As for Messi, a clause in his contract allows him to leave for free this summer. But the hitch is that this expired last June 10. Regardless, Messi believes he can still reactivate this since the season was extended due to the pandemic.

Luis Suarez says Barcelona players took time to reach a pay cut agreement because they were looking for the 'best solution'
Luis Suarez says Barcelona players took time to reach a pay cut agreement because they were looking for the 'best solution' AFP / Giuseppe CACACE

Though most see a Messi exit as rough because suitors need to meet the huge $824.8 million release clause, anything can happen. The reality is that Barca is out to revamp its lineup with Suarez and Messi possibly out by next season. Unlike Messi, Suarez is likely to latch on to a new team soon. Though Barca fans dread it, the other concern is how competitive with the club remain after the smoke has cleared on their overhaul plans.