Julian Alvarez has been given some important advice over a potential move to Arsenal
Luis Suarez admitted to pushing for a move to Arsenal as he addressed the race to sign Julian Alvarez.
The Gunners once submitted a bid of £40million plus £1 in an attempt to sign the Uruguayan during the summer of 2013. The cheeky offer, which was rejected, left Liverpool furious.
Suarez stayed at Anfield for another season, enjoying what many would consider the finest campaign of his career before moving to Barcelona. But the 39-year-old had been actively chasing a switch to Arsene Wenger’s side.
He drew upon his own experience when commenting on Atletico Madrid’s Alvarez, who recently informed the Spanish club of his desire to leave. Alvarez, much like Suarez at the time, is among the most coveted strikers in the world, with Arsenal, plus Barcelona and Real Madrid, all keen on the Argentine.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Suarez’s recent remarks suggest the 26-year-old could benefit from a move further down the line, mirroring the Liverpool legend’s own career path. The Inter Miami forward reflected on the influence Steven Gerrard’s words had on him at the time, which inspired him to give everything at Anfield for one final season, a choice he now regards as the “best decision” of his career in England.
Suarez, in an interview on El Larguero for Spanish radio station Cadena SER, said: “I faced the same situation myself when I was at Liverpool. I said I wanted to go to Arsenal, I wanted to play in the Champions League.
“The captain, Gerrard, came to me and convinced me, ‘If you have a great season, we’ll help you and you’ll be able to go to Barcelona, Real Madrid, wherever you want.’
“He convinced me, and I went out to apologise because my comments hadn’t been appropriate at the time. I gave my all for Liverpool, the fans forgave me and it turned out to be my best season at Liverpool.”
Suarez believes Alvarez would be better served remaining at the Metropolitano Stadium for another campaign.
Suarez continued: “Diego Simeone and the fans might convince him that this could be Atletico’s year. Or perhaps Julian will stand his ground and say, ‘That’s it.’ That depends on each person.
“Barcelona and any team in the world will want him and will be willing to pay whatever it takes because he’s a great target man. He moves well between the centre-backs, he helps out a lot defensively and he’ll have wingers who’ll provide him with plenty of assists. He’s a fast, powerful player.”
