• Premier League

Barnes: Sell wantaway Suarez - and quick

ESPN staff
July 30, 2013
The Suarez saga rumbles on

Former Liverpool forward John Barnes believes the club should sell Luis Suarez as soon as possible rather than gamble on the striker's state of mind should he stay.

The Uruguay international has been itching for a move away from Anfield all summer, and has been the subject of a £40m approach from Arsenal.

Liverpool rejected the bid, insisting Suarez is not for sale, but Barnes believes the club should reconsider its stance before the opportunity to recruit a replacement striker runs out.

"We've seen in the past when transfers go down to the last minute that it doesn't help anybody, especially for a club like Liverpool who, if they lose Suarez, would have to find a big-name replacement," Barnes told talkSport.

"I'd like it to be done sooner rather than later, because if it goes down to the last day, and you then have to go and get somebody, it's not ideal.

"As far as Suarez is concerned, if he's not going to be happy, then he has to go.

"We can all say, 'yes, we think Suarez is going to be a player like Carlos Tevez, who gives 100 per cent no matter what' but we don't know what his mental state is going to be if he doesn't get his wish."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
Close