It seems as if this protracted transfer drama will drag out over the course of the summer after week’s article in The Guardian. Suarez, who at the best times finds it hard to keep his fiery mouth shut, was voicing his case against Liverpool. He has once again declared his intentions to leave but not without running the name of Liverpool through the mud.
The much maligned star stated “Last year I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we failed to qualify for the Champions League the following season, I would be allowed to go.” Suarez went on to explain further “I gave absolutely everything last season to give us a top-four finish, now all I want is for Liverpool to honour our agreement.”
“They gave me their word a year ago and this is not just verbal with the coach, but something that is written in the contract.” There certainly is no smoke without fire and this “clause” will have alerted Arsenal, who lodged a cheeky bid of a pound north of the £40 million mark. But Liverpool have disputed this on the basis that the clause in the contract simply implies Liverpool merely have to notify Suarez of any team that bid the actual amount, the bid itself is up for negotiation. Liverpool thus far has swiftly rejected two bids of £35 and £40 million pounds. The latter bid prompted a response from Liverpool co-owner John Henry who Tweeted: “What do you think they’re smoking over there at the Emirates?”
The transfer is beginning to take an ugly turn, with Suarez willing to take his case to an arbitration committee to be hosted by the Premier League with the support of Gordon Taylor, the chief protagonist in any player versus club dispute. Suarez said he had the club’s word and emphasises this more fervently than the written part of the contract, though he maintains it has been inserted into his contract.
Brendan Rodgers and Ian Ayre have both strenuously denied such claims, saying he is a Liverpool player and not for sale. Rodgers has even gone so far to accuse Arsenal of lacking “class” in their pursuit of Suarez given the nature of the bid. He is said to have held talks on numerous occasions with Suarez since he returned from the latter part of Liverpool’s tour of the Far East and recently held an open training session where some five hundred Liverpool fans were vociferously cheering Suarez’s every touch, though this was met with a glum response.
The greater implications of Suarez’s accusations will be rippling through Liverpool today. Not only has he accused Rodgers of going back on his word, but he has turned his back on the fans who have stuck with him through charges of racism and violent conduct, which included biting a fellow professional. Interspersed with accusations of diving and unsporting behavior, it’s a surprise Liverpool fans still stick with the flawed genius. But his 30 goals in 44 games last year are key to Liverpool’s chances of Champions League football, hence why the Liverpool hierarchy find it imperative to keep him.
Then sell him and let him walk away. Show him
how big LFC is.