In an interview with the Telegraph, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has laid bare his frustration at the way his desire to leave the club is not being honored. The Uruguayanconfirmed that he will hand in a transfer request before the end of the week if Liverpool does not clear the way for him to move to Arsenal.
“I want to move to play in the ChampionsLeague and there is a club offering me that opportunity,” Suarez said. “I have told the manager that I want to leave the club. I am being accused of showing a lack of loyalty but lastyear I had the opportunity to move to a big European club and I stayed on the understanding that if we did not qualify for the Champions League the following season then I would be allowed togo.”
He added: “I gave absolutely everything last season but it was not enough to give us a top-four finish. Now all I want is that Liverpool honor our agreement. Last season, wetold Liverpool there was interest from a top European club but they told me: ‘we have a new coach, we are going to push for the Champions League.’ I spoke with [coach] BrendanRodgers several times and he told me: ‘stay another season, and you have my word, if we don’t make it then I will personally make sure that you can leave.’”
Suarez addedthat his contract was amended to include a clause, which, to his understanding, would allow him to leave Liverpool if an offer for over $62 million came in. Arsenal offered $62 million plus oneBritish pound (roughly $1.5) in an attempt to trigger the release clause, but Liverpool said the clause only required the club to notify Suarez that a bid had come in for him.