Barcelona are reportedly prepared to offload veteran striker Luis Suarez in the summer as they look to generate funds amid the coronavirus crisis.

According to a report from Spanish publication MARCA, La Liga champions Barcelona are willing to listen to offers for star striker Luis Suarez in the summer, with a number of clubs in the MLS interested.

Suarez has been with Barcelona for almost six years now, having signed from Liverpool back in 2014. The Uruguayan international has grown into one of the deadliest strikers in Europe during his stint at Camp Nou, helping the club to numerous trophies and titles.

Till date, the 33-year-old has bagged 191 goals and created 108 more in 270 matches for Barcelona. However, over the past couple of seasons, Suarez has shown signs of age catching up with him, with injuries hampering him quite often. In fact, the striker was unavailable since January this season as well, having undergone an operation on his knee.

In spite of his advancing years and injury issues, Suarez has continued to contribute heavily in the final third, having bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in just 23 matches in the 2019-20 season. However, Barcelona are now considering the possibility of offloading the veteran in the summer.

Suarez set to be sold by Barcelona? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Suarez set to be sold by Barcelona? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

This move comes due to the fact that finances have been affected because of the coronavirus crisis. With the La Liga and Champions League suspended, Barcelona have been deprived of matchday income for almost two months now. The situation is unlikely to see a major improvement once the season resumes, as matches are likely to be played behind closed doors.

With Barcelona planning a huge summer outlay for the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Neymar, they are looking at player sales as a possible means of raising funds. And Suarez could be among a number of players who are likely be shown the doors at Camp Nou.

This development has put several clubs in the Major League Soccer (MLS) on high-alert. David Beckham’s Inter Miami are one of the suitors, with the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar having spoken about the possibility of signing Suarez in the past.

The 33-year-old veteran striker himself has admitted to being open to playing in the MLS one day. Suarez’s contract with Barcelona runs till 2021, with the club retaining the option of extending it by another year, provided he features in 60% of matches in the 2020-21 season.

Suarez remains a key player within the Barcelona setup and enjoys a great relationship with his teammates, especially club captain and talisman Lionel Messi. It now remains to be seen if the Catalans do go through with the sale of the former Liverpool man come summer.

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