Barcelona let go of their veteran striker Luis Suarez during the summer transfer window. This made them pursue Lyon’s Memphis Depay but they were unable to sign the player even though they had agreed on terms with the fees. La Liga rejected the transfer on grounds of salary caps because Ousmane Dembele failed to secure his loan spell off to the Premier League with Manchester United. Neither Depay nor Ronald Koeman was happy about the failed negotiation on the deadline day.
Koeman did not decide over the Suarez deal
The Dutch manager is still adamant that his side can play without a striker. On the other hand, Luis Suarez has had a flying start to his Atletico Madrid career. He scored a brace on debut as Diego Simeone applauded the forward from the sidelines. Fellow mate Diego Costa was much impressed with Suarez and exclaimed that Barcelona should not have made the decision to let him leave Camp Nou.
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There was resentment from Suarez with his abrupt transfer to the Rojiblancos. The Uruguayan did not know about his future at the club as he received the information form the media. He made his point clear in the post-match interview after Uruguay defeated Chile in the World Cup qualifiers. The 33-year-old expressed his views over his exit but doubted if it was the coach’s decision to enforce his transfer.
Suarez was on good terms with the new manager upon his arrival at Barcelona
According to the DailyMail, Koeman told NOS that he was perfectly okay with Luis Suarez staying at the club. He also could have encouraged the forward to stay and prove himself. However, it was not his call to put Suarez on the transfer list because Koeman realizes what the veteran has done for the club in 6 years. Suarez left the club becoming the third most goal scorer of all time for Barcelona.
The gaffer had discussed with the board regarding Luis Suarez after his much-anticipated move to Juventus failed. Barcelona officials wanted to rebuild the club and so it was necessary for them to go forward with the sale. Koeman also talked it out with star man Lionel Messi that it was a shame having to let go of Suarez so easily but he could not interfere with the choices of the club itself. The former Liverpool striker remarked that if he scores a goal against Barcelona he will not celebrate because of his respect for the club, instead he will go ahead to point to those responsible for his exit.
