Ronald Koeman to Luis Suárez: “If it was up to me, you’d stay, it’s the club that doesn’t want you”

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Suárez said to hold all the cards in negotiations

Ronald Koeman told Luis Suárez he wanted to keep him at the club during the famous phone call between them, according to a new report.

“If it was up to me, you’d stay, it’s the club that doesn’t want you,” he reportedly told the Uruguayan.

At the moment, Suárez is said to be demanding Barcelona pay him the last year of his contract in order to rescind it. There’s a chance that he could leave on a transfer to Juventus or Atlético Madrid. That would allow him to continue earning his (very high) salary while still playing for an elite club. He has reportedly turned down offers from Ajax and from the MLS.

On the other hand, Barcelona could retain his services. They could still use him, although perhaps not as much, and he would continue earning his (again, very high) salary and playing for a famous club. The contract runs out next year, although apparently he has a clause that would allow him to stay on for even one more year should he play 60% or more of the matches he’s available for.

It’s been said the Uruguayan was upset at the way he was shown the door this summer. The president did not talk to him, instead relying on the new Barcelona manager to relay his message.

Source: barcablaugranes.com