Luis Suarez to Aston Villa transfer could be completed now thanks to key rule

Luis Suarez remained an Atletico Madrid player past the January transfer deadline but that does not preclude him from sealing an exit ahead of the summer.

Suarez's status as an out-of-contract player means he can talk to overseas clubs, including Aston Villa, anytime between now and the end of the season about setting up his next move ahead of the campaign's end.

The Uruguayan was linked with a move to Villa last month but remained at Atletico, where he is out of contract in the summer.

Suarez, 35, looks set to depart Diego Simeone's side after an underwhelming season by his lofty standards after firing in 21 goals in the last campaign.

Suarez has netted nine times this season but has only started two thirds of Atletico's games this season and with his career approaching the end he could be tempted by one last dance in the Premier League.

A former team-mate of Villa boss Steven Gerrard and a close friend of the Liverpool legend, Suarez could seal a move to Villa Park ahead of the summer by signing a pre-contract agreement.

Here, we look at what has been said about a potential move...

Suarez is eyeing a sensational reunion with Gerrard at Villa, it has been claimed.

The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker looks to be on his way out of Atleti at the end of this season when his contract in the Spanish capital expires.

According to journalist Gerard Romero, who is based in Barcelona, Suarez has turned down multiple offers from Brazil and one from Saudi Arabia 'to focus on the proposal from Villa from his former teammate Gerrard'.

Romero’s tweet in full read: “Luis Suarez has ruled out offers from Palmeiras, Corinthians and Atlético Mineiro - as well as one from Arabia - to focus on the proposal from Aston Villa from