Champions League winner linked with sensational Premier League return

Former Liverpool star Luis Suarez could be set for a sensational return to the Premier League to join ex-teammate Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa. 

According to Birmingham Mail, the Uruguayan is a target for Gerrard, who has already persuaded another of his former teammates, Philippe Coutinho, to join Villa on loan.

The Brazilian moved to Villa Park in January and has impressed since, scoring four goals and providing three assists so far.

Now Suarez could be joining the reunion in the midlands, with his contract at current side Atletico Madrid set to expire in the summer.

The 35-year-old joined the La Liga side before the start of last season, and played a crucial role in Diego Simeone’s side’s La Liga triumph last term.

Gerrard and Suarez came agonisingly close to winning the Premier League title in 2014

The Uruguay international has fallen out of favour in recent months, though, and is expected to leave the club when his current deal expires this summer.

Villa have emerged as potential suitors and, while they may be outsiders for the striker’s signature, the pulling power of Gerrard could prove vital.

Suarez played 133 times for the Reds between 2011 and 2014, scoring 82 times, and played a crucial part in Liverpool’s challenge for the Premier League title during the 2013-14 season under Gerrard’s captaincy.

The striker moved to Barcelona in 2014, though, and continued his prolific form in Spain, before eventually joining Atletico in 2020.

Villa are among a number of clubs reported to be interested in the former Barcelona star, with David Beckham’s Inter Miami also named as a potential suitor.

Current MLS start Gonzalo Higuain has warned Suarez of the difficulties of playing in the US, though, claiming that the league is tougher than the Spanish or English divisions.

“I thought I would come here and play with a cigarette in my mouth and, instead, it is difficult. It is a tough league,” he told Bobo TV.

“I learned that it is similar to Italian football. In Spain and England it is easier to do well, while in Italy, if you do not know the league, you suffer.”