Barcelona make new offer to Luis Suarez in bid to force him out of the club

Barcelona are reportedly willing to pay off the last year of Luis Suarez’s contract in an attempt to force the Uruguayan striker out of the club.

New manager Ronald Koeman has made it clear that Suarez, 33, is not in his plans as he looks to completely rebuild the team following their disastrous 2019-20 campaign.

Suarez, who has scored 198 goals in 283 appearances in his six seasons at the Nou Camp, has been linked with a move to the likes of Juventus or Atletico Madrid.

But according to Spanish outlet Sport he is not prepared to go anywhere unless Barcelona pay him the wages he would have received for the last year of his contract, which is believed to total around £15m.

Initially it is thought Barca were unwilling to do this, but have now changed their mind because they are unlikely to be able to shift him otherwise.

Juventus are still the front-runners for his signature, and it is alleged that Barcelona have now said they will make up the difference of whatever salary the Italian giants are willing to offer Suarez – meaning they are effectively paying him off to depart.

It would certainly be an unsavoury end to what has been a hugely successful spell for Suarez in Catalonia, with the former Liverpool man having won four La Liga titles and a Champions League as well as becoming the fourth top scorer in the club’s history.

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But the move looks like it could end up becoming a deal which would suit all parties, and Barcelona would certainly prefer him to move to Italy rather than potentially strengthening a direct rival if he were to go to Atletico.

Lyon star Memphis Depay is being lined up as his potential replacement, with some reports claiming Barca have agreed a fee of around £23m to sign the Dutchman.