DAVID BECKHAM’S Inter Miami are ready to get their teeth into a major signing – with Barcelona striker Luis Suarez reportedly top of their shopping list.
A number of MLS clubs are said to be looking at the ex-Liverpool man, who has been told he can leave the Nou Camp for the right price.
Luis Suarez claims playing in 60 per cent of games he’s available for next season will trigger a year-long contract extensionCredit: Getty
The LaLiga champions need £62million to ease their financial strife caused by the coronavirus.
And getting Suarez’ big wages off their monthly bill would be crucial.
Barca chiefs have indicated there will be a fire sale after LaLiga was put on hold for two months and there is a lack of funds at the Nou Camp.
But the Uruguay hitman is unfazed over where his next move will be.
On the prospect of a switch to USA, he told Spanish newspaper Marca: “You never know. I have a contract at Barcelona but, in the future, it’s an attractive league. The United States is a nice option.”
Despite the fact that the bean counters at Barca have made everyone available apart from Lionel Messi and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen due to the financial crisis caused by coronavirus, Suarez has not ruled out staying with the Catalan giants.
But Suarez’ age – he is 33 – means Nou Camp chiefs will listen to offers.
Beckham’s club are looking for a major signing the way that LA Galaxy swooped for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and DC United signed Wayne Rooney.
Suarez has scored 14 goals in 23 games this season but his big wages alongside the fact that he has got more injury prone, mean Barca are open to selling this summer.
Neymar and Lautaro Martinez have been transfer targets as they look to replace the South American, who joined the club for £70m in 2014.
Marca claim selling Suarez would upset Messi, as the pair have become firm friends.
Suarez’s contract at Barcelona runs until 2021 and there’s also the option to extend that deal for another year if he plays 60 per cent of the club’s games next season.
But that is highly unlikely if Neymar arrives and he is competing with him, Messi and £108m buy Antoine Griezmann for game time.
However, Suarez is on £15m-a-year so any interested clubs would have to pay big bucks to get him to leave Barca before his contract ends.
Having already attracted the likes of Ibrahimovic, that might not be a problem for some American clubs.
And he fits the bill in terms of the profile of an MLS foreign import, an ageing superstar.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
