Luis Suarez has reportedly agreed personal terms ahead of a potential move to Juventus.
Suarez looks likely to be one of the most high-profile victims of Barcelona’s summer overhaul. New manager Ronald Koeman does not consider him part of his plans.
There had been speculation that Suarez could return to either of his former clubs in Europe – Ajax or Liverpool.
However, Suarez is on the verge of moving to brand new surroundings instead. According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, the striker has agreed to join Juventus.
Reports arose at the start of the week that Suarez making contact with Juve’s vice-chairman Pavel Nedved. Now, Gazzetta say that further talks have been successful. Suarez has agreed personal terms after his second meeting with Nedved. He will earn €10m per season as part of the deal, which will last for three seasons. It’s the same salary that Gonzalo Higuain currently earns in Turin, from where he is likely to depart this summer.
Suarez is keen on a move to Italy because of the tax breaks there on foreign players.
However, the 33-year-old still must negotiate his departure from Barcelona – and there are complications.
That’s because he still has one year left on his contract at Camp Nou. Barcelona could terminate his deal, but would have to come to a financial settlement with him. It could cost them as much as £12m (about €13.5m) to cancel his contract.
Suarez wishes to be freed to move where he wants, though. He feels he has a better opportunity of winning the Champions League with Juventus.
Signing a striker has been a priority for Juventus this summer, as they want to support Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite winning Serie A again last campaign, they scored the fewest goals of any team in the top five.
The Italian report adds that Juventus have decided to press ahead with their interest in Suarez ahead of another former Premier League player they were targeting, Roma’s ex-Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko. With the financial features of either deal similar, Juventus have opted to sign Suarez.
The reason is that they are hoping to not have to pay a transfer fee for the Uruguayan, whereas there have been delays negotiating a price with Roma for Dzeko.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have been linked with Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez as a replacement for Suarez. However, the Argentina international is now reevaluating a potential switch to Spain due to the indecision surrounding Lionel Messi.
