Luis Suarez says Josep Bartomeu should tell him if he wants the striker out of Barcelona

‘It would be good if the person in charge speaks directly to me’: Luis Suarez says Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu should tell him if he wants the Uruguayan striker out of the Nou Camp as part of summer overhaul

  • Luis Suarez is keen for Barcelona chief Josep Bartomeu to clear up his future 
  • The veteran striker has reportedly become surplus to requirements at the club
  • Bartomeu listed just eight players not for sale and Suarez was not among them 
  • Suarez has since leapt to his own defence and is willing to settle for a lesser role

Barcelona star Luis Suarez is desperate for club president Josep Bartomeu to clear up speculation over his future amid mounting reports that he may leave the Nou Camp this summer.

The 33-year-old was not included on the eight-strong list of players categorically not available for transfer this summer, with Barcelona’s Champions League humiliation likely to spark a mass exodus this summer. 

Suarez has laid bare his ambition to remain at the club despite the chaos gripping them on and off the field in a recent in-depth interview. 

Luis Suarez is keen for Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu to clear up his uncertain future

Luis Suarez is keen for Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu to clear up his uncertain future

Bartomeu has recently revealed that Suarez was not among the eight players safe from the axe

Bartomeu has recently revealed that Suarez was not among the eight players safe from the axe

But despite insisting he is willing to stay in Catalonia for ‘as long as they want to count’ on him, the former Liverpool ace is also keen for Bartomeu to reveal whether he is willing to keep him or not. 

He told El Pais: ‘There is talk of some names that the president gave, of changes that can be made, but nobody told me that they want to do without me.

‘If this is the desire of the club, it would be good if the person in charge speaks directly to me. I’ve been at Barca for six years, enough time to say what they think. It’s better to tell me if I am one of the ones that they want out. It remains to be seen.

Suarez insisted he wants to remain at the club but may become part of the first-team culling

Suarez insisted he wants to remain at the club but may become part of the first-team culling

‘I also want the best for the club and my plan today is to continue, but if the club thinks that I am expendable, I have no problem speaking with those who decide.’

Suarez is now the third-top scorer in Barcelona’s history and has helped fire the club to a horde of trophies since joining from Liverpool in 2014.   

But even his formidable track record in front of goal may not be able to save his future, however, with the arrival of Ronald Koeman set to spark a wide-sweeping overhaul of the first-team. 

The frontman is willing to compromise in ensure he remains with the LaLiga giants, and has even admitted he would settle for a reduced role next season. 

He added: ‘Throughout my career I have accepted to be a substitute. I would have no problem in being one again. 

The recent arrival of new coach Ronald Koeman is likely to spark a mass overhaul at Barcelona

The recent arrival of new coach Ronald Koeman is likely to spark a mass overhaul at Barcelona

Suarez netted in Lisbon but was unable to stop Barcelona crashing out the Champions League

Suarez netted in Lisbon but was unable to stop Barcelona crashing out the Champions League

‘The competition is healthy and if the coach considers that I should do it from the bench I have no problem. I would like to stay at Barca as long as they want to count on me. I want to contribute.’

Suarez netted 21 goals, and registered 12 assists, but was unable to stop Barcelona from enduring a campaign without silverware.

Bartomeu has come under heavy criticism in recent weeks, and the ire has been made worse after the manner of the club’s European elimination. 

Unsettled superstar Lionel Messi told Koeman that he is now more ‘outside the club than inside’ and also revealed he has little faith in the club chief. 

source: dailymail.co.uk