Journalist says Gerrard & Coutinho link-up could convince £160k-p/w star to join Aston Villa

Aston Villa target Luis Suarez would be a ‘great signing’ for the club amid growing speculation over his future, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 35-year-old is searching for a new side after confirming his imminent departure from Atletico Madrid when his contract expires at the end of June.

Suarez firmly established himself as one of the world’s leading marksmen during a fruitful six-year spell with Barcelona, registering 194 goals and 113 assists in 282 appearances.

However, after claiming four La Liga titles, one Champions League and four Copa del Rey’s for the Catalan giants, he was allowed to join Atleti in September 2020 for just £5.5 million, signing a £160,000-per-week deal.

During his two-year spell at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Suarez fired his side to their second league title in eight years, finding the back of the net on 21 occasions in 32 top-flight outings last term.

But the Uruguay international waved goodbye to the Atleti faithful over the weekend, and talk has already turned to where his next destination could lie.

According to Spanish sources, Villa are one of three sides in the running for Suarez’s signature, with Sevilla and Inter Milan the other sides in contention.

Villa manager Steven Gerrard and latest acquisition Philippe Coutinho played with Suarez during their time together at Liverpool, and O’Rourke believes a reunion could ‘appeal’ to the South American.

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He told GiveMeSport: “Luis Suarez could be a great signing. Although he’s not getting any younger, a free transfer, the chance to link up with Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho again could be something that may appeal to him.

“And still