Luis Suarez High on Atletico Madrid's Summer Wishlist

Luis Suarez High on Atletico Madrid's Summer Wishlist

Sunday, 2 March 2014

Two big transfer sagas of 2013 look set to be similarly protracted affairs in 2014, as both Luis Suarez and Diego Costa are coveted by some of the continent's very best sides.

Costa is expected to move on in the summer, with Chelsea considered the frontrunners, per Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express, while Suarez is believed to be Real Madrid's top summer target, according to Jack Wilson of the Daily Star.

Atletico, however, might be looking to streamline that whole process by selling one of those hitmen...and buying the other.

On Friday Liam Prenderville of the Daily Mirror reported:

“According to Spanish media outlet Cadena Ser, a series of players' names were leaked after a meeting between [Atletico] club officials to discuss their summer plans.

And while as many as six players were on the list, Liverpool's Uruguayan hitman was the star name.

Suarez has made no secret of his desire to play in the Champions League and he looks as if he will get his wish this season, with Brendan Rodgers' men in pole position to finish in fourth.

However, that may not stop Simeone making a move, which could be funded by the potential departure of Diego Costa.”

Suarez was the subject of a bid of over £40m from Arsenal last summer, while there have been reports that Liverpool will agree to sell him—at a suitable price—should he fire the club back into the Champions League, per Wilson at the Star.

Believability Meter: Low

What club in European football would not want to sign Luis Suarez?! Of course Atletico Madrid would target the Uruguayan, should he be available.

The problem, however, is that Suarez has elevated himself into a bracket where there are realistically only two or three clubs (Real Madrid, Barcelona and, if we exclude other Premier League sides, possibly Juventus) that could hope to attract him.

If Liverpool fail to qualify for next year's Champions League, but Atletico do, then the Spanish club might have a chance of replacing Costa with the Uruguayan—if they can find the extra cash involved from somewhere.

In all likelihood, however, if Suarez ends up in Madrid this summer it will be with the city's other club. Roberto Soldado, also linked with Atletico in recent days.