Transfer merry-go-round
With only a month left in the transfer window, ESPN FC commentator Mark Donaldson recaps all the rumors circling players and clubs around the world of football.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said star striker Luis Suarez “totally understands” the club’s unwillingness to sell him.
GettyImagesSuarez has said he wants to quit Liverpool.
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Suarez, 26, has made it clear he wants to leave Anfield, with Arsenal keen to sign him and Real Madrid also linked with a move. Liverpool have said he cannot go for any less than £50 million.
The Gunners made a bid of £40,000,001 on July 23 in the belief it would trigger a release clause in the Uruguay international’s contract.
However, Liverpool insist that is not the case, with senior officials indicating that the clause only requires them to inform Suarez of any bids above £40 million, not to sell him at that price.
Rodgers has acknowledged that Suarez could end up leaving this summer, but insists the player has retained a professional attitude in pre-season.
He told the Liverpool Echo: “It’s a story that can keep running but, for me, there is no new news. Luis is happy. He totally understands the club’s point of view.”
Suarez is available to play in Liverpool’s pre-season fixtures, but will be unavailable for the first six competitive matches of the campaign as he completes the ten-game ban imposed after he bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
Rodgers added: “He’s in a difficult position in terms of not being able to play because of his suspension. He will sit out the first six games, and he will miss playing football.
“But he’s working hard and remains part of the group. He needs to get up to speed, and we will continue to work to get all the players ready for the first game of the season.”
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