AJAX have confirmed their transfer interest in Luis Suarez after Ronald Koeman ordered the striker to leave in a one-minute phone call.
The Uruguayan striker, 33, is on the hunt for a new club as he looks set to become a victim of the Nou-look Barcelona.
Ajax confirmed they are trying to re-sign their former striker Luis Suarez as he is forced out of BarcelonaCredit: Getty – Contributor
Koeman replaced Quique Setien last week and wasted no time beginning his restructure.
And Ajax are plotting a move to re-sign their former forward.
After reports of a £13.5million bid, director of football Marc Overmars, who spent four years as a player at Barca, told Sport his side will do their best.
But he is not confident a deal will be reached.
Overmars said: “The chances of Luis Suarez joining us are quite small. We’re trying but is difficult.”
Suarez is understood to have been left stunned and very upset by the way the club are forcing him out, especially with the very brief telephone conversation.
Barcelona-based newspaper Sport detail how the striker feels singled out for the team’s wider failings after their shock 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League – a game in which Suarez scored.
Furthermore, he is said to be upset at receiving just a 60-second telephone call from Koeman with radio silence from club president Josep Maria Bartomeu on the matter.
And the treatment of Suarez played a contributing factor in Lionel Messi telling Barcelona he will quit.
Speaking last week before hearing from the club, Suarez was desperate to be informed what was happening and had no qualms seeing his role reduced to being a substitute.
He said: “It would be good if the person in charge who chooses speaks directly to me.
“I also want the best for the club and my idea today is to continue, but if the club decides that I am expendable, I have no problem talking to those who decide.
“I would accept a substitute role, as I accepted it throughout my career.
“The competition is always good and if the coach thinks I have to start from the bench, I have no problem helping the team with the role they give me. I can still contribute a lot to this club.”
Barcelona are already seeking a replacement for their third-highest goalscorer with Gabriel Jesus on the radar.
Teams from the Premier League and Serie A have been in contact with Suarez over a transfer – although he will not decide until a proper solution with Barcelona is reached.
Paris Saint-Germain are also closely monitoring the Uruguayan’s situation in Spain while David Beckham’s MLS outfit Inter Miami are keen on him.
And, as Overmars predicted, it is unlikely Suarez will return to the Dutch outfit he spent three-and-a-half seasons with before joining Liverpool.
Marc Overmars is not confident his Ajax side will be able to secure a deal for the Uruguay forwardCredit: Getty – Contributor
Luis Suarez ‘in transfer talks with Premier League clubs’ as Barcelona outcast snubs Ajax return
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
