"I'm told" - talkSPORT reporter shares Aston Villa transfer update on high-profile striker

Aston Villa are not exploring the prospect of signing out of contract striker Luis Suárez this summer, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

The former Liverpool man most recently played for Atlético Madrid but is set to leave the La Liga club at the expiry of his contract at the end of the month.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Suárez is close to signing for Argentine giants River Plate, back in his native South America.

However, the same report suggests that the 132-time Uruguay international is yet to give the Copa Libertadores contenders a response as to whether or not he will be signing for the club this summer.

The former Champions League winner had been linked to a move to Villa, which would have reunited him with former teammates Philippe Coutinho and Steven Gerrard, the latter now managing the west Midlands side.

But Crook believes that this is simply an obvious link, and there is no actual interest from Villa’s side to bring the striker to the club.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I do know that one or two superstar names have been mentioned.

“Luis Suárez is of no interest to Aston Villa.

“Signing Luis Suárez is obviously a lazy link there between Gerrard and Suárez, but I’m told that’s not one that they’re exploring.”

It seems extremely unlikely that Suárez, who has previously been labelled as a “stallion” by NBC’s Justin Karp, will be plying his trade at Villa Park next season, but that won’t damage the morale of the Villa faithful after an exciting transfer window for the club so far.

However, Villa will feel they could do with another body up front, with last season’s £25m signing in Danny Ings struggling to hit the heights last season, scoring just seven goals and providing six assists in 31 appearances over the