Transfer Rumors: After Coutinho, Gerrard Close To Signing Another Ex-Liverpool Teammate At Aston Villa

Luis Suarez is reportedly interested in joining Aston Villa, managed by his former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard. 

Suarez has turned down offers from Brazilian clubs Palmeiras, Corinthians, Atletico Mineiro and Saudi Arabia-based clubs to focus on a potential offer from Premier League side Aston Villa, according to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, who has a credible record in the European transfer market. However, International Business Times, could not verify it independently. 

The 34-year-old striker, who moved from FC Barcelona to Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2020, will be without a contract at the end of the underway campaign and the Uruguayan has not signed an extension with the Wanda Metropolitano side yet. Suarez netted 21 goals and three assists and helped Atletico Madrid win the league title last season, which was their first La Liga trophy since the 2013-14 campaign.

However, in 2021-22, Suarez managed only nine goals in 27 competitive games for Atletico Madrid, including seven in 19 league matches. With 33 points in 20 matches, Diego Simeone’s side is placed fourth in the league table, 16 behind table-toppers Real Madrid. 

In a recent press conference, Simeone opened up on a conversation with Suarez, saying the player is aware that he is "important" for the team. 

"We have spoken with Luis for two months about what I think of him, of how important he is for us and the situations that we create for him and without him on the pitch. What I think of him, he knows it and I didn’t speak to him after Sevilla, I have spoken to him for two months," Simeone said, according to Football Espana. 

Suarez’s first stint in the Premier League happened with Liverpool when the Uruguayan striker moved to Anfield from Ajax during the 2011 January transfer window. In 133 competitive appearances for the Reds, Suarez finished with 82 goals, while he also helped the Gerrard-led side win the 2012 League Cup. 

Atletico Madrid's Luis Suarez goes up against former club Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday. Photo: AFP / JAVIER SORIANO

Gerrard, who joined Aston Villa as their head coach earlier this season, is re-building the squad at Villa Park and has already signed his ex-teammate Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona and Lucas Digne from Everton.