The Uruguayan has held two meetings with the Reds in recent weeks but will not offer Anfield officials assurances that he will stay at the club this summer
EXCLUSIVE
By Richard Buxton
Luis Suarez has cast further uncertainty over his Liverpool future after refusing to provide the club with assurances as speculation grows that Real Madrid will bid for the striker.
The Merseyside club have held two meetings with Suarez’s agent, Pere Guardiola, the brother of incoming Bayern Munich manager Pep, since he was hit with a 10-game ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic – prior to which they were confident of keeping the striker – and fear their star man has set his sights on a summer transfer.
The 26-year-old is keen to play in the Champions League and the Reds are understood to be willing to listen to offers from overseas clubs despite their public insistence that he is not for sale.
Liverpool are growing frustrated with the uncertainty surrounding the striker, despite the fact the Uruguayan is under contract until 2016.
Suarez, who scored 30 goals in all competitions last season, is believed to be a target for Spanish giants Real Madrid, with Gonzalo Higuain expected to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
Despite reports of a €39 million buy-out agreement, no such clause exists in Suarez’s contract. However, offers above €45m would test the Anfield club’s resolve in holding on to their most prized asset.
Suarez has been involved in a number of controversial incidents since his £26m move to Anfield from Ajax in January 2011 and is serving a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea defender Ivanovic in April.
He also served an eight-match suspension during the 2011-12 campaign after being found guilty by the FA of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
Suarez has continually insisted that he feels settled on Merseyside but has also admitted that he would consider an offer from a club in the Champions League.
Liverpool missed out on a top-four finish after only managing to finish seventh in the Premier League last season in Brendan Rodgers’ first season in charge at Anfield.