Julian Alvarez has been given some important advice as he presses to leave Atletico Madrid
Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez is wanted by Premier League clubs(Image: Maja Hitij - FIFA via Getty Images)
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Luis Suarez gave Julian Alvarez some timely advice as he reflected on his decision to snub Arsenal. The Gunners infamously submitted an offer of £40million plus £1 in a bid to secure the Uruguayan's signature during the summer of 2013.
The furious Reds responded by telling Arsenal the striker was not available at any price. Suarez stayed at Anfield for a further season, enjoying the finest year of his career before making the move to Barcelona.
Suarez had been pushing to join Arsene Wenger's side before being convinced to stay by Steven Gerrard. He drew on that experience while discussing Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, who recently informed the Spanish club of his desire to leave, with Barcelona, Arsenal and Real Madrid all keen to sign the 26-year-old.
As he did, Suarez believes Alvarez would benefit from postponing his departure. The Inter Miami star reflected on the influence Gerrard's words had on him at the time, calling it the best decision of his time in England.
In an interview on the El Larguero programme, broadcast by the Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Suarez said: "I faced the same situation myself when I was at Liverpool.
"I said I wanted to go to Arsenal. I wanted to play in the Champions League. The captain, Gerrard, came to me and convinced me, 'If you have a great season, we'll help you and you'll be able to go to Barcelona, Real Madrid, wherever you want.'
"He convinced me, and I went out to apologise because my comments hadn't been appropriate at the time. I gave my all for Liverpool, the fans forgave me, and it turned out to be my best season at Liverpool."
Luis Suarez in an interview
Luis Suarez has recalled wanting to join Arsenal(Image: Club Nacional de Football Oficial /Youtube)
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Suarez added: "Diego Simeone and the fans might convince him that this could be Atletico's year. Or perhaps Julian will stand his ground and say, 'That's it.' That depends on each person.
"Barcelona and any team in the world will want him and will be willing to pay whatever it takes because he's a great target man. He moves well between the centre-backs.
Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur
Alvarez has told Atletico Madrid he wants to leave(Image: Getty)
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"He helps out a lot defensively. and he'll have wingers who'll provide him with plenty of assists. He's a fast, powerful player."
For now, Alvarez is focused on the World Cup, with Argentina preparing to face Cape Verde in the last 32 on Friday.
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