According to AS, Atlético Madrid have identified Lucas Boye as a replacement for Luis Suarez, with Aston Villa eyeing the Uruguayan.
What’s the story?
Well, this has added an interesting dimension to the saga involving Aston Villa and Suarez.
On January 18th, Gerard Romero – a reliable journalist – revealed that the £5.5m Atlético Madrid forward had rejected Palmeiras, Corinthians and Atlético Mineiro to focus on an offer from Aston Villa.
Now, AS believe Diego Simeone is keen to sign Boye.
The Spanish news outlet explicitly state that the Elche forward would arrive to replace Suarez at the Wanda Metropolitano.
That is very interesting news for those at Villa Park to digest.
AS explain that Boye has a €25m (£21m) release clause, so Atlético Madrid wouldn’t need to negotiate with Elche directly if they pay that sum.
So far this season, Suarez has scored nine goals, while also providing two assists.
Can Aston Villa sign Luis Suarez?
At first, this sounded like a typical January transfer window rumour – complete and utter nonsense.
Then again, so did talk of Philippe Coutinho moving to Villa Park.
In our view, this deal has legs, and could well happen before Monday’s deadline.
Suarez is now 35, and judging by Simeone’s interest in Boye, he is keen to take a different direction in attack.
Furthermore, the 128-cap Uruguay international earns £263,000-a-week at Atlético Madrid, so the Spanish champions may prefer to remove such a big salary from their wage bill.
Keep an eye on this saga – there’s a good chance Suarez reunites with Gerrard and Coutinho in the Premier League before Monday’s deadline.
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