By DAN KARELL
The soap opera that is the Luis Suarez transfer saga took another dramatic turn on Tuesday afternoon.
Currently on international duty with Uruguay, reports out of the country state that Suarez is set for a reversal in his efforts to leave Liverpool, and that he’s decided to stay at the club and potentially could renew his contract. Presumably the about-face has come about due to the strong demands from head coach Brendan Rodgers and the Liverpool ownership.
The decision, if final, is another blow to Arsenal, who have brought in just one player this summer despite being highly optimistic that they would sign a number of top-level players. Arsenal have had two bids for Suarez rejected, including a £40,000,001 bid that was rejected, as both Arsenal and Suarez thought it would activate a release clause in the contract.
Here are some more stories to get your Wednesday kicked off:
ROONEY WON’T BE SOLD AT ANY PRICE
Manchester United management have made it clear to Chelsea. Wayne Rooney isn’t going anywhere.
According to reports in England, despite two official transfer bids and other attempts to unsettle and eventually acquire Rooney, the Manchester United backroom staff has decided to hold onto their star striker for this season.
Rooney has been rumored for a move after struggling last season at Man United, including missing a few key matches where he normally would have started. Sir Alex Ferguson admitted at the end of last season that Rooney had submitted a transfer bid but it was resolutely rejected by Ferguson. Now the Glazers as well as David Moyes have backed Rooney to stay at Old Trafford.
The England international is likely to represent his country on Wednesday in a friendly match against Scotland, despite missing all of Man United’s preseason matches due to various injuries. However, his club and international teammate, Michael Carrick, has been ruled out of the friendly match due to a sudden eye infection.
PUEBLA COACH LAPUENTE LEAVES POST
In a surprising move just five rounds into the Apertura Liga MX season, Puebla FC were forced on Tuesday to begin a search for a new coach.
Puebla announced on Tuesday in an official statement that Manuel Lapuente had decided to leave his job as club manager, forcing Puebla to announce Ruben Omar Romano as the interim head coach. Lapuente took the Puebla job for the third time in his long managerial career back in December of 2012, guiding the club to an 11th place finish in the 2013 Liga MX Clausura.
So far in the Apertura, Lapuente and Puebla have struggled, failing to win in five matches with four draws and one loss, sitting in 13th place currently in the table.
QUICK KICKS
Dutch midfielder Jonathan De Guzman was stretchered off the training ground at Holland’s practice after suffering a concussion, and has been replaced in the starting XI by Georginio Wijnaldum. (REPORT)
England U-21 had six different scorers in a 6-0 thrashing of Scotland U-21. (REPORT)
Inter Milan have confirmed the loan signing of Chelsea’s 18-year-old Brazilian right back Wallace. (REPORT)
Liverpool are considering a £30 million bid for Anzhi star midfielder Willian, after the club have put nearly everybody in the squad up for sale. (REPORT)
Werder Bremen are closing in on signing Argentine forward Franco Di Santo to a four-year contract, with the former Blackburn Rovers man having completed a medical on Tuesday. (REPORT)
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What do you make of this development? Do you believe the Uruguayan reports on Suarez? See Rooney starting for Man United on Saturday and England on Wednesday? Do you see Puebla jumping back up the table with a new head coach?
Share your thoughts below.