LUIS SUAREZ is reportedly set to join Brazilian club Gremio after being urged by a “friend” – believed to be Lionel Messi – to make the switch.
The Uruguayan was at his boyhood club Nacional but he is believed agreed to the free transfer following advice from his former Barcelona team-mate.
The striker is currently staying at Messi’s home in Rosario to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
Suarez is happy for his close friend, despite suffering his own heartbreak at the competition in Qatar as Uruguay were knocked out at the group stage.
During their holiday, they are believed to have discussed Suarez’s future and terms put forward by Gremio, according to reports.
Gremio football deputy Paulo Caleffi has told TV Bandeirantes: “Suarez said that ‘his friend’ recommended coming to Gremio, which was the best way”.
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However, the move is not 100 per cent complete as the 35-year-old striker has other interest in him.
The report has suggested that Mexican side Cruz Azul have offered Suarez a contract “twice as big” as the Brazilian club.
Although Gremio are stated as expecting “a response” from Suarez and that they will not “extend the negotiation for a long period”.
The report says that they are hoping to have a “definitive” answer by Sunday.
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The former Liverpool striker played with Messi during a trophy-filled six-year stint at Barcelona.
He left the LaLiga side in 2020 as he joined Atletico Madrid and in his first season he won his fifth Spanish league title.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
