With Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers knee deep in transfer dealings, a number of fringe players are set to be put up on the auction block in the coming weeks — and the first one out the door could very well be youngster Suso with Portugal almost certain to be his destination.
News that FC Porto boss Julen Lopetegui is interested in taking the 19-year old to the Estádio do Dragão comes with no surprise after the talented attacking midfielder spent a successful loan helping La Liga side avoid relegation last season. Suso made little secret of both his desire to play regular football last year and he wasn’t exactly hiding the fact he wanted to extend it if things hadn’t changed on Merseyside when he came back from Spain. Now, of course, there’s little wonder that he’s interested in moving on from the Reds.
“My priority is to stay here, but Porto is an excellent option if I leave Liverpool. I know there’s negotiations” Suso said before throwing a bit of a barb our way. “Porto are the best club in Portugal and they have faith in their youngsters. They also have a coach I like working with.” Not exactly fair considering Rodgers penchant for giving the kids an opportunity to show what they’ve got in the first team, but if he’s not going to be handed a regular opportunity to shine, then he’d rather head for the exit.
“I will only renew with Liverpool if I’m guaranteed I’ll play regularly. The option is clear if I don’t renew: let me leave. I think Liverpool thinks the same” he said before turning the screw a little bit harder. “They won’t let me leave on a free in a year if I don’t renew. Let see what happens.”
It’s rumoured that Rodgers is looking to raise upwards of £30mil through player sales this summer, and though Suso wouldn’t raise too much towards that goal, including a buy-back clause in any sale would be a prudent piece of business. There’s little doubt that the attacking midfielder has talent, but it may be better served being developed somewhere else — for now, anyways…
