There are suggestions in Spain that Luis Suarez might not be leaving Barcelona after all, meaning Juventus must turn to a different target.
Suarez was told in a 90-second telephone call with new coach Ronald Koeman that he was not part of their plans for this season.
As his contract is due to expire in June 2021, he was asked to terminate it early by mutual consent.
Those negotiations have dragged on and seem no closer to a resolution, quite the opposite.
There are suggestions in Spain that Luis Suarez might not be leaving Barcelona after all, meaning Juventus must turn to a different target.
Suarez was told in a 90-second telephone call with new coach Ronald Koeman that he was not part of their plans for this season.
As his contract is due to expire in June 2021, he was asked to terminate it early by mutual consent.
Those negotiations have dragged on and seem no closer to a resolution, quite the opposite.
Lionel Messi’s decision to remain for one more season could have changed the situation, especially as he is very good friends with Suarez and they have been spotted driving to training together.
According to Mundo Deportivo and Deportes Cuatro, it is not necessarily guaranteed that Suarez will leave Barcelona at all.
There are relatively few other options in the squad and losing him while having to also pay a large portion of his remaining salary would seem futile.
Suarez also cannot sign for Juventus until he has obtained an Italian passport, as all the non-EU slots are full, and that could take several weeks to complete the paperwork.
He can gain citizenship because his wife has Italian ancestry.
If Suarez is not coming, then Juventus find themselves without a centre-forward for new coach Andrea Pirlo.
Edin Dzeko was the original first choice, but seems as if he wants to remain with Roma, while Napoli want €50m for Arkadiusz Milik.
Atletico Madrid reportedly turned down an offer worth €50m for Alvaro Morata.