Liverpool prepared to sell Luis Suárez for club-record £50m-plus

Liverpool will consider selling Luis Suárez but only for a club-record fee of more than £50m. Their leading striker is intent on ending a turbulent two-and-a-half-year career in English football.

Suárez declared on Friday that he wants to leave Liverpool when giving a third interview in two days expressing disillusionment with life in England. He had previously encouraged interest from Real Madrid by stating it would be hard to reject the Spanish club, then suggested it is time for a "change of environment" before taking matters further and announcing his desire to quit the Premier League.

That prompted an emphatic response from Liverpool, who have been unable to rein in the 26-year-old while he is on international duty in his native Uruguay but are determined not to be coerced into a deal with Madrid or any other club. A Liverpool spokesperson said: "Luis Suárez is not for sale. Neither Luis or his representatives have communicated these feelings directly to Liverpool football club. The club remains supportive of Luis and expect him to honour his contract. We will not be making any further comment at this stage."

Suárez will have to submit a written transfer request to challenge Liverpool's position but the club's stance is unlikely to change until they receive an offer greater than the £50m banked from Chelsea for Fernando Torres.

Liverpool are obliged to inform Suárez of any club prepared to activate a clause, believed to be in excess of £40m, that was included in the new four-year contract he signed last August. The clause will trigger negotiations should he wish to speak to that club, but not an automatic sale, and Liverpool would enter any talks insisting the Uruguay international is a better, fitter player than Torres was in January 2011.

Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, conceded last week that Suárez does have his price but his view on the player's future has not changed in light of recent comments. He said then: "They [Fenway Sports Group, the club's owner] have been absolutely unequivocal in their resolve in terms of wanting to keep him. Listen, every player has their price but there's certainly no pressure for the club to sell him. We're trying to build that bit of quality, so he's not for sale."

Suárez has repeatedly claimed his reason for wanting to leave is not financial or the lure of Champions League football, with Liverpool failing to qualify for Europe next season, but his treatment by the press in England. Ahead of Uruguay's friendly against France in Montevideo on 4 June he said: "It is a difficult moment for me. My coach and my colleagues know that they [the media] didn't treat me well. Because of the paparazzi I could not go in my garden, I could not go to the supermarket. My reason for leaving is not the money. It's my family and image. I don't feel comfortable here any more."

Suárez was a target for photographers after he bit the Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in April, an act that resulted in a 10-match ban from the FA and, he has now confirmed, prompted him to reconsider his future. "The straw that broke the camel's back was my mistake," he said of his second suspension for biting an opponent. The first was with Ajax in 2010.

The striker claims he has not agreed a deal with Real but Liverpool had feared he would push for a move despite their steadfast support over the Patrice Evra racism controversy and the Ivanovic issue. Those two incidents alone have landed Suárez with suspensions totalling 18 matches but the player claims it is the press who have sullied his image.

José Reina's future, meanwhile, is uncertain after Víctor Valdés announced he could see out the final year of his Barcelona contract, having been expected to leave. Reina is in line to replace Valdés at Barcelona for a fee of around £10m and Liverpool have been considering alternatives.

Read More

José Mourinho cheered and jeered as he bows out at Real Madrid

José Mourinho polarises opinion and, true to form, the seemingly Chelsea-bound coach was cheered and jeered in equal measure as he concluded three years in charge of Real Madrid with a 4-2 home win against Osasuna.

Played out before a two-thirds full Bernabéu stadium with Madrid second in La Liga, well adrift of the champions Barcelona, it was not the finale the 50-year-old Mourinho might have envisaged. Despite having three years remaining on his contract, Mourinho agreed to depart by "mutual consent", the divorce evidently suiting both parties.

After falling out with the Spanish media, not to mention certain key players, Mourinho has talked longingly about England as a place where he "is loved" and the agreement with his former employers at Chelsea appears virtually done and dusted.

Before Saturday's game he issued a brief farewell statement on Madrid's website, reflecting on three always turbulent and sometimes triumphant years in charge.

"I wish all of Real Madrid's supporters much happiness in the future," Mourinho said. "I want to thank many fans for their support, and I respect the criticism of others. I repeat, happiness to all, and above all, good health. Hala [Forward] Madrid!"

After the win against Osasuna – in which Cristiano Ronaldo's absence due to a supposed "back strain" prompted fevered speculation that Manchester United's former favourite son could be poised for a Premier League return – Mourinho stepped forward from the technical area, arms aloft, before waving to the fans and disappearing down the tunnel one last time.

Earlier he had waited until the last possible moment ahead of the kick-off before emerging and quickly settling into the dugout. Almost immediately, he ventured out of his seat and was instantly engulfed by photographers. Security staff were required to usher them away.

The reception from home fans embraced assorted "political" positions, including Madrid's ultras, who brandished signs emblazoned with messages such as "Thanks for everything, Mou" and chanted his name. Another segment of supporters whistled in protest, largely upset with the manager's treatment of certain players, the team's lack of major titles this season and the Portuguese's claims that he is not "loved" in Spain.

After securing the Copa del Rey in his first season and the La Liga title in his second, Mourinho and Madrid parted following a third campaign that saw only the Spanish Supercup added to the trophy cabinet. As if bowing out at the semi-final stage of the Champions League for a third consecutive year under the former Porto, Chelsea and Internazionale coach was not bad enough, Madrid trailed Barcelona from the start of the season and lost the Copa del Rey final to fierce rivals Atlético Madrid.

In a damning indictment arguably more damaging than the less than glorious trophy haul, Mourinho has been heavily criticised by supporters and journalists alike for his persistent benching of Iker Casillas, Madrid's goalkeeper and captain.

In recent months he has fallen out with other players, including Pepe, but other Madrid players made clear their desire to wish Mourinho well for the future. "Many thanks for everything. It has been a pleasure," the defender Alvaro Arbeloa tweeted.

If his Madrid exit was rather less glorious than hoped for, at least he signed off with a win. Gonzalo Higuaín, captaining a side missing a number of regulars, opened the scoring with Real's 100th goal of the season.

Next Michael Essien, on loan from Stamford Bridge, headed in a corner and sprinted across to dedicate the goal to Mourinho, who brought him to Real following the injury problems which undermined his Chelsea career.

Osasuna, also with nothing left to play for, reduced the deficit courtesy of a raking, low shot from Roberto Torres. Alvaro Cejudo then headed an equaliser.

No matter. Superlative skill on Mesut Ozil's part set up Karim Benzema for Madrid's third goal before José Callejón completed the scoring in the 87th minute.

As is his wont, Mourinho exited, stage left, a winner.

Read More