Luis Suarez is reportedly at the centre of a shock transfer tussle between fierce Premier League rivals Manchester United and Manchester City.
The two clubs are keeping tabs on the Barcelona superstar, according to Spanish newspaper Don Balon, in the hope that talks over a contract extension for Suarez at the Camp Nou break down.
Luis Suarez is on Man United and Man City's radar... #FCB #MCFC #MUFC https://t.co/v5zdN4Tnr4
Suarez is currently in discussions with Barcelona over remaining with the Catalan giants, and will no doubt favour staying with his current club over any potential move back to England's top flight.
That has not stopped the 29-year-old being linked with moves to either Old Trafford or the Etihad Stadium, however, and both sides will allegedly continue to monitor Suarez's situation for any possible breakdown over fresh terms to stay in Spain.
Suarez is believed to have a release clause fee of around £180m written into his current deal at Barcelona - an eye watering sum of money that United and City would be reluctant to meet - but Don Balon claims that Jose Mourinho could ask the Red Devils' board to sanction a £135m move for the Uruguay international if he rejects any new contract put to him.
Strangely, the report makes no mention of Suarez's obvious ties to former club Liverpool, with his supposed love for the Anfield-based outfit a factor that could count against United signing him due to the rivalry that exists between the pair.
City, meanwhile, could be a more viable alternative and, unlike city rivals United, would not look to unsettle Suarez during his contract negotiations.
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano was vice president at Barcelona between 2003 and 2008, and is said to still be on good terms with the reigning La Liga champions. As such, the 29-year-old is said to not want to antagonise his former employers by making any offer for Suarez, and will only look to bid for his services if Barcelona opted to welcome offers for one of their star forwards.
Suarez has plundered 94 goals in just 109 appearances in all competitions since his July 2014 move to Barcelona, and has won six pieces of silverware in that time.
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