Posted on 07/02/2014 4:58:51 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Suarez is reportedly on his way out of Anfield after receiving a four-month club ban from FIFA for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, but Liverpool's steep asking price of £80 million ($137 million) presents a serious obstacle for Barcelona. That's where Sanchez enters the picture.
Barcelona got the apology it wanted from Luis Suarez, now it needs Alexis Sanchez to sign off on a move to Liverpool that would allow the Spanish giants to acquire the infamous World Cup biter.
Suarez is reportedly on his way out of Anfield after receiving a four-month club ban from FIFA for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, but Liverpool's steep asking price of £80 million ($137 million) presents a serious obstacle for Barcelona.
That's where Sanchez enters the picture, according to the Daily Mail, which reports that Barça representatives are currently in London trying to include the Chilean international as part of a potential deal for Suarez.
The 25-year-old Sanchez, valued at £30m ($51m), is coming off a 19-goal season for Barcelona and a standout performance at the World Cup, where he led Chile to the knockout stage.
While it seems like a practical move for both clubs, Sanchez is said to be dead set against joining Liverpool, preferring to play with Premier League rival Arsenal instead.
Unfazed, Barcelona continues to push for Suarez, whom blaugrana sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta recently praised for being "humble enough to admit an error" after publicly apologizing for chomping into Chiellini's shoulder.
"He has been humble enough to apologize to those he has affected, because it happened in the middle of a festival of football.
"In this case it's the best thing a person can do."
Barcelona has had an active summer, signing Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic, as well as goalies Ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo. But Suarez, for all his behavioral issues, would be a huge offseason coup for the team.
“[Suarez] has shown a lot of quality with Uruguay and scored more than 30 goals (last season) with Liverpool, so he has the necessary quality to play for Barca,” Zubizarreta said.
"Everyone knows that Luis is an excellent player, everyone knows last season he played in various positions in attack, but everyone also knows that he is a Liverpool player."
From a football perspective, it could be trouble. There is only one ball, so three top forwards Messi, Neymar, and Suarez might not work. Just like in the NBA, having three guys on the court who want the ball and to shoot can lead to disaster.
Good point. I’m far from an expert about soccer, but it seems to me that the current World Cup has made it clear that team chemistry is really important, and that having high profile players is not enough to bring a championship.
I’m a Liverpool fan and I think they should sign that deal right freakin’ now. Suarez is a total liability and Sanchez is a sublime player. Have to say tho that Neymar, Messi and Suarez is a frightening front three.
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