By DAN KARELL
Since receiving a ten-match ban, Luis Suarez has been the center of numerous transfer rumors.
The latest team considered to be in the running for the Uruguayan’s services is Atletico Madrid, whose manager Diego Simeone said he believes that Suarez is an “extraordinary player.” With there being a good likelihood that top forward Radamel Falcao is on his way out of the Vicente Calderon, reports out of Spain and England have Suarez as the top choice replacement for the club.
The reports state that it’s going to take a pretty hefty bid to pry Suarez from Liverpool, upwards of €40 million for the transfer fee and a contract of more than €6 million per season. After negotiating a new sponsorship deal with the country of Azerbaijan, it’s thought that Atletico will ask them to help pay for the deal.
Suarez had one of his most successful seasons this year for Liverpool, scoring 30 goals in all competitions for the club, including 23 in the Premier League, good for second best at the moment.
Here are some more stories to get your Wednesday started:
CAVANI’S BROTHER CLAIMS REAL MADRID INTERESTED
Edinson Cavani’s goal scoring touch has continued this season for Napoli, scoring a hat trick last Sunday against Inter to bring his total to 26 Serie A goals this year.
Many of the top sides around the world have sent scouts to Naples to watch the South American forward play and according to reports out of Italy, Real Madrid are one of those sides. Speaking to an Italian radio station, Cavani’s brother reportedly said that the Madrid side are interested in signing Cavani, but the players release clause is too high.
The player’s brother also stated that the 26-year-old is very happy to be a Napoli player. Previous reports have put the release clause for Cavani at upwards of $82 million.
THIAGO SILVA, LEONARDO SUSPENDED FOR LYON MATCH
Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a blow ahead of a potentially title-clinching match this Sunday against Lyon.
Defender Thiago Silva’s red card from last Sunday was upheld by the Ligue 1 Disciplinary Committee, forcing him out of PSG’s next match against Lyon, where a win would give them their first league title since 1994. In addition, the Committee decided that PSG sporting director Leonardo would be banned for one match as well, after getting into an altercation with the match official following the game.
The Brazilian defender Thiago Silva was sent off in the 43rd minute of his side’s recent home match against Valenciennes, when he put his hands on the referee after the referee blew for a foul.
GERRARD TO MISS END OF THE SEASON
What began as a season where the captain hadn’t missed a minute of action, has finished with Steven Gerrard sitting on the sidelines.
Gerrard will have surgery to repair a damaged shoulder by the end of this week, ending his 15th Premier League season prematurely. The surgery will also knock the 32-year-old out of England’s two friendlies this summer, though Gerrard is expected back by the start of next season.
The England international had started all 36 Premier League matches for Liverpool this season, going the full 90 in all but the recent match against Newcastle, where Liverpool won 6-0.
QUICK KICKS
Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic is set to have talks over his future with the club once the season ends, alerting numerous teams abroad of his potential availability. (REPORT)
Arsenal have signed a new kit deal with Puma for £30 million a season. (REPORT)
Manchester City midfielder Scott Sinclair had surgery to remove a blood clot in his shoulder. (REPORT)
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is being rumored as the potential replacement for Victor Valdes, but no offer has been made by Barcelona. (REPORT)
Boca Juniors midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme has said that he will be fit in time for his club’s second-leg Copa Libertadores match with Corinthians. (REPORT)
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What do you make of these reports? Do you see Suarez moving on to Atletico Madrid? Do you believe Madrid can afford Cavani’s release clause? Do you agree with the Thiago Silva suspension?
Share your thoughts below.