sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Luis Suarez reveals failed Real Madrid transfer plan that Arsenal fans won't want to hear
Home>Football>Football News>Arsenal
Published 13:03 18 Feb 2024 GMT

Luis Suarez reveals failed Real Madrid transfer plan that Arsenal fans won't want to hear

Arsenal were on the verge of bringing Karim Benzema to the club.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Luis Suarez has detailed a transfer plan involving Arsenal, Real Madrid and Karim Benzema that could have completely changed the course of football in the 2010s.

Ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Suarez was being linked with a host of Europe's top clubs after a memorable campaign with Premier League runners-up Liverpool.

As well beating Daniel Sturridge and Yaya Toure to the Golden Boot award after scoring 31 goals in 33 games, the Uruguayan forward scooped the PFA Players' Player of the Year.

He was quite simply unplayable at times and as a result of arguably the greatest season of his career, Suarez was wanted by La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Advert

In fact, Suarez recently opened up on the proposed deal to Los Blancos, and it appears a famous bite on Italy's Giorgio Chiellini played a huge part in the failed transfer.

Speaking to Uruguayan radio program La Mesa, he said: "Before the 2014 World Cup, Real Madrid wanted to sign me and everything was on track. They were planning to sell Benzema to Arsenal, it was all done.

"When the World Cup started, Barca joined the race, and obviously I preferred Barca. With the bite situation, Madrid lowered their interest, and Barca became more interested.

"In the end I had both options and I chose Barcelona because it was my dream."

So there we have it. According to Suarez, a certain Karim Benzema was close to joining Arsenal in the summer of 2014 – and there were rumours surrounding a possible deal.

A report from the Metro in 2014 suggested Arsenal had 'arranged a meeting' with Madrid to discuss a summer deal for the French forward worth £25 million.

But as we all know, Suarez went on to join La Liga rivals Barcelona in the summer of 2014 for a fee thought to be about £75 million.

Image credit: Getty
Image credit: Getty

In the interview with La Mesa, Suarez also revealed his retirement plan, just weeks after joining Inter Miami.

“Yes, I cannot be more sincere and the family already knows," he said. "The date is not yet set, but this is the last step.

"I am prepared for this last challenge but it is also exhausting and I have to think about having a quality of life afterwards.

The former Liverpool striker also ruled out a move into management after his playing days are over,

“I don’t want to do it, it’s worse than being a player because of the hours of work, it requires more time.”

Featured Image Credit: DelSol 99.5 FM/YouTube - Getty Images

Topics: Luis Suarez, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Uruguay, Transfers, Karim Benzema

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Recommended reads

Luke Riley makes bold prediction ahead of blockbuster fight on Conor McGregor v Max Holloway cardGetty ImagesForget Conor McGregor - Lone'er Kavanagh is the UFC star you should be watching this weekendGetty ImagesF1 and F3 trainer reveals gruelling physical and mental work drivers must do for each race ahead of British GPGettyDavid Croft proposes new Olympic sport with drivers from 'around the world' ahead of British GPGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
11 hours ago
13 hours ago
15 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Thomas Tuchel insists he has 'no regrets' over England tactics as Donald Trump weighs in

    The England head coach has been heavily criticised for his tactics during the Three Lions' World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    11 hours ago

    White House say whether Argentina players should receive FIFA punishment for Falklands display

    Argentina have faced intense criticism from all angles for their actions after beating England in the World Cup semi-finals.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    13 hours ago

    Mo Salah's agent reveals real truth behind Besiktas transfer after 'done deal' claims

    Mohamed Salah's agent has broken silence after it was claimed that the forward is joining Besiktas.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    15 hours ago

    What happened when four players were tied for the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup

    Thomas Muller, David Villa, Wesley Sneijder and Diego Forlan scored five goals at the World Cup in South Africa.

    Football
  • Real Madrid Want to Repeat Luis Figo Move With Controversial Barcelona Signing
  • Casemiro could leave Man Utd as Real Madrid legend pushes for transfer
  • 'Impossible' - FIFA rule bans Real Madrid from wild €60 million transfer plan
  • 'Unilateral option' - Real Madrid confirm unique agreement after FIFA rule blocked transfer plan