Luis Suárez near Inter Miami deal, seeks Grêmio exit - sources - ESPN

Inter Miami CF is trying to sign ex-Barcelona striker Luis Suárez, but Suárez and his current club, Brazilian side Grêmio, cannot agree on an exit fee, sources told ESPN.

Suárez is willing to return a total of $10 million of his earnings to walk away, but sources said Grêmio also wants guarantees that the Uruguayan player will not play at any other club in 2023.

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Suárez, 36, is keen to join his former Camp Nou teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets at the MLS club, despite claiming in June that it would be «impossible.»

On Tuesday, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas said: «I don't know how Luis Suárez can leave Grêmio. But if he does, we are free to talk to Luis and bring him to Inter Miami. That possibility would be there.»

Suárez, who has a contract with Grêmio through 2024 and has scored 13 goals in 30 games for the club, has repeatedly complained of pain in his right knee.

Sources told ESPN the impasse is over Suárez's fitness regarding the knee pain he has had since May. Grêmio manager Renato Gaúcho and club officials are aware of the knee issues, but sources told ESPN that Suárez has said that if he is released from the club and recovers before the end of the year, he should have the right to return to play with his new club.

Three Grêmio club doctors have examined Suárez's knee, and sources said Suárez has been obliged to play through the pain until the club can find a substitute for the striker.

Sources said Suárez feels as though his knee cannot handle the sheer amount of matches required by the Brazil league and does not want to let the fans down. Suárez has said he would prefer to play in a league with an easier calendar, such as MLS, according to sources.

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