Luis Suarez has revealed why he didn’t move to Arsenal from Liverpool a year before he made his move to Barcelona. The North London club were weighing up a transfer for the Uruguayan in 2013 which eventually turned out to be a failed attempt.
The Barcelona ace has admitted that the interest from the North London was not a rumour saying, “Arsenal's interest in me was very public, I don't think it is any secret,”. The transfer saga was all over the news with Liverpool owner John Henry publicly mocking the move after the Gunners submitted a cheeky bid of £40 million plus £1 to trigger his release clause.
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard proved to be the person to persuade the striker to stay at Anfield.
"I had a private conversation with Stevie after training, and he told me to give Liverpool another season, and wait for Barcelona.” said the forward.
Suarez ended up signing a 5-year extension in December of that same year, thus increasing his value in the market.
The forward had a stellar 2013/14 season with Liverpool where he almost led the Reds to the title only to lose it agonizingly to Manchester City. That season was his best up to that point in his career and the footballing world started to recognize him as one of the best strikers in the world.
It wasn’t long before Barcelona came calling and he joined the Spanish Giants for a reported fee of €81 million Euros. The 29-year-old went on to win a historic treble with the Catalans scoring in the Champions League final against Juventus.
Suarez is grateful to Steven Gerrard for advice
Suarez has credited his decision making to former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. The hitman thanked his former teammate, rating his advice as the most important in his career saying, “Looking back now it is one of the most important conversations of my life, but that is Stevie, he was a captain who was always ready to give his players advice.”
And now he faces an Arsenal side who haven’t had a prolific striker since Robin Van Persie in the Champions League with Barcelona on Tuesday night. Suarez has been in incredible form this season, topping the scoring charts in La Liga.
The clash between the two giants is becoming the most anticipated match of the competition with Barcelona the heavy favourites to go through.
