Luis Suárez has been on fire for Merseyside club Liverpool this season after returning from his ban for biting Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic late last season. The Uruguayan star has scored more goals by himself than most Premier League teams have managed in total, and this form has attracted the attentions of some of Europe’s biggest clubs in recent weeks and months. However, the 26-year-old has put any speculation to bed for now, after signing a new long-term contract with the Reds.
It was expected that the former Ajax man would be departing from Anfield in the summer after receiving the ban inflicted by the Football Association, with Arsenal and Real Madrid both reportedly interested. The Gunners made at least two large bids for the Uruguayan international, whilst it is reported that Carlo Ancelotti made at least one bid to sign the striker as well.
Again, rumours have now started up in recent weeks linking Suárez with a move away from the club, again with Arsène Wenger a reported suitor, whilst Manchester City have also been thought to have an interest in the player. Just imagine – Luis Suárez and Sergio Agüero in the same team. Surely that would be a strike-force worthy of any team in the world.
This news over the new contract has unsurprisingly be met with a pleased response from Liverpool supporters. Many feel Suárez has been the key man for the Merseyside club this season, and were he to leave, Brendan Rodgers would struggle to find a replacement of a similar calibre to aid Liverpool’s season. The Reds have been on good form so far this campaign, and have been in and around the higher echelons of the league table from the beginning of the season back in August.
Despite missing the first month of the campaign as the ban given last season was completed coming into this one, Luis Suárez has scored 17 league goals in just 11 games, partnering former Manchester City and Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge upfront in the Liverpool team. These two have been ruthless so far, and the Liverpool fans will be glad that the partnership has been maintained.
The new contract will run until the end of the 2017-18 season, and has made Suárez one of the highest paid players in England, with him now reportedly on £200,000 per week at Anfield. It is also rumoured that there is now a £60 million buy-out clause in the contract, should the Reds qualify for the Champions League. However, the sum of money lowers if the club do not qualify, meaning it could still be feasible for the 26-year-old to depart from Liverpool in the next couple of years. However, for now, the speculation over Suárez’s future with his current club is all put to one side, with him seemingly committed once again.
