In an expected move after shipping Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal, Liverpool has agreed to transfer Luis Suarez to FC Barcelona. Suarez will wear number 9 and play alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Liverpool was the first to confirm news of the transfer on their website Friday: “Liverpool FC confirms that Luis Suarez will be leaving the club after a transfer agreement was reached with FC Barcelona. The player now has permission to complete the usual formalities, which will then conclude the transfer. We would like to thank Luis for his contribution and the role he played in helping bring Champions League football back to Anfield. Everyone at Liverpool Football Club wishes Luis and his family well for the future.”
Suarez also responded to the transfer in an open letter to Liverpool fans:
“It is with a heavy heart that I leave Liverpool for a new life and new challenge in Spain. Both me and my family have fallen in love with this club and with the city. But most of all I have fallen in love with the incredible fans. You have always supported me and we, as a family, will never forget it, we will always be Liverpool supporters. I hope you can understand why I have made this decision. This club did all they could to get me to stay, but playing and living in Spain, where my wife’s family live, is a lifelong dream and ambition. I believe now the timing is right.”
The deal is reportedly worth $109 million, $61 million less than the release clause that was originally in his Liverpool contract. Suarez spent the last three seasons with Liverpool filled with both good and bad moments.
He scored an English Premier League record 31 goals in 33 appearances last year, but the season before that was marred by Suarez biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic and being suspended for 10 games. As everyone around the world discovered during the World Cup, biting is Suarez’s go to move, and he did it again on the planet’s biggest stage, leading to a four month suspension.
The deal appears to be a win-win for Liverpool who was under tremendous pressure to release Suarez after the most recent biting incident. It was Suarez’s third such biting incident and third lengthy suspension while playing for Liverpool.
Suarez will always be a controversial player who will forever be linked to his poor choices as he will for his performance on the pitch. His talent is unquestionable and physically, he is one of the best strikers in the world. Barcelona must have felt that was more important than his reputation as a dirty player and team cancer.
Barcelona continues their dominance of La Liga and Europe, enshrining their reputation as the New York Yankees of soccer. Liverpool will now need to figure out how to spend the cash they received for Suarez, and build around England’s own, Daniel Sturridge.
I don’t believe we have heard the last of Suarez, for better or worse. His legacy is now in his own hands and only time will tell if that legacy is immersed in goals and championships for Barcelona, or more controversy and suspensions.
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