Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has opened the door to his next move after confirming he won’t be signing for River Plate.
The ex-Reds forward is now a free agent after being released by Atletico Madrid. He scored 34 goals in two seasons in the Spanish capital and helped the club win La Liga in 2021.
Suarez being on the market has seen him heavily linked with a return to South America - with Argentinian club River Plate targeting his signature. However, the 35-year-old has now revealed that he will not be making that move, with his intention still to remain in Europe.
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“I was very excited about the possibility of going to River Plate to fight to win the Copa Libertadores,” Suarez told Uruguayan news outlet El Pais “It was a dream that I had to win a cup in South America. However, as soon as River were eliminated that possibility is over.
“A month and a half ago I declared that I was not going to leave Europe, but River insisted and insisted so much that I came to consider that possibility. As much as one says something, when the time comes you will consider it. You are excited that they love you so much. A player needs to see affection.
“River was giving it to me and Nacional (Suarez’s former Uruguayan club) could have tried that.”
Speculation will now be rife over which club Suarez will join next. There were links with a move to Aston Villa, who are managed by his former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, but those have gone quiet of late.
Suarez has previously hinted that he would not join another club in England, after spending more than three years on Merseyside. During his time at Anfield, he scored 82 goals in 133 appearances.
"Playing for any team other than Liverpool in England would be hard,” Suarez told World Soccer Magazine in 2021. "I had, and hope I still do have, such a good relationship with Liverpool fans that it would be strange for me to play for somebody else. It would have been special to win the league with Liverpool, but I am glad that their wait is now over.
"They look like a team that will compete for many seasons to come even if this one has not been the best for them. They are back where they belong. I’ve missed the fans. The atmosphere is unbelievable, it’s amazing. Everyone who’s played for Liverpool knows how important the supporters are. They know they are in my heart."
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