TrueYid
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- Jul 29, 2003
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EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart
Ajax star Luiz Suarez has told club officials he is interested in a move to Tottenham, Goal.com UK can reveal.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has made the Uruguayan striker a target as he looks to add a top class forward to his squad in January.
Suarez is expected to leave Ajax either in January or at the end of the season and has been linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe including Barcelona, Manchester United and Juventus.
But the 23-year-old has made it known – at least in the Netherlands – that he would like to talk to Spurs if the Londoners can agree a transfer fee with the Dutch club.
Suarez is expected to cost at least £25 million and his openness to a move to White Hart Lane poses a challenge to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy as to whether he would be willing to fund a deal.
Tottenham would have to pay a premium to land their man in January rather than the summer, while Suarez's wage demands of around £90,000-a-week and the fact he is cup-tied in the Champions League could also prove to be stumbling blocks.
Goal Machine | Luis Suarez scored 49 goals last season and could be London-boundSuarez, whose contract at the Amsterdam Arena runs out in summer 2013, has also made it clear he will not force a move and insists he is happy in the Netherlands.
“Suarez has heard of interest from Tottenham and he would be interested in the possibility,” an Ajax insider told Goal.com UK.
“Maybe before he thought Spurs were too small for him but now he would go there if the right deal was agreed by everyone.
“He would like to challenge himself in one of the big European leagues but at the same time Ajax don't want to sell him and he is very content here.
“To sign him in January would be very expensive as we would need a replacement and the best players cost a lot of money. I don't know if Tottenham can pay what it would take to sign him.”
Suarez feels a move to the Premier League would allow him to prove his ability after seeing interest from elite clubs fade because of concerns over the poor standard of the Eredivisie.
It is unknown how much influence Martin Jol, the former Tottenham manager now in charge of Ajax, has had on Suarez's interest in the move.
Spurs were the talk of Europe last week after beating European champions Inter 3-1 and have received increased exposure in the Netherlands since the £8m summer signing of Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid.
Despite their Champions League success, Redknapp's side are labouring in the Premier League and have failed to win their last four games in the division.
Tottenham's striking quartet – Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe – have misfired this term with just three league goals between them from 12 league matches.
Redknapp expressed an interest in Suarez, Edin Dzeko, Diego Forlan and Luis Fabiano over the summer but was priced out of a move for all of his main targets.
There remain concerns over how Suarez could fulfil the role as a lone striker but he is renowned for his excellent movement, skill and finishing.
Suarez is one of the hottest properties in Europe after scoring 49 goals last season and another three at the World Cup as Uruguay reached the semi-finals.
He joined Ajax from Groningen in the summer of 2007 for €7.5m (£6.4m) and quickly developed in to the star player in the Dutch capital.
By Greg Stobart
Ajax star Luiz Suarez has told club officials he is interested in a move to Tottenham, Goal.com UK can reveal.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has made the Uruguayan striker a target as he looks to add a top class forward to his squad in January.
Suarez is expected to leave Ajax either in January or at the end of the season and has been linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe including Barcelona, Manchester United and Juventus.
But the 23-year-old has made it known – at least in the Netherlands – that he would like to talk to Spurs if the Londoners can agree a transfer fee with the Dutch club.
Suarez is expected to cost at least £25 million and his openness to a move to White Hart Lane poses a challenge to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy as to whether he would be willing to fund a deal.
Tottenham would have to pay a premium to land their man in January rather than the summer, while Suarez's wage demands of around £90,000-a-week and the fact he is cup-tied in the Champions League could also prove to be stumbling blocks.
Goal Machine | Luis Suarez scored 49 goals last season and could be London-bound
“Suarez has heard of interest from Tottenham and he would be interested in the possibility,” an Ajax insider told Goal.com UK.
“Maybe before he thought Spurs were too small for him but now he would go there if the right deal was agreed by everyone.
“He would like to challenge himself in one of the big European leagues but at the same time Ajax don't want to sell him and he is very content here.
“To sign him in January would be very expensive as we would need a replacement and the best players cost a lot of money. I don't know if Tottenham can pay what it would take to sign him.”
Suarez feels a move to the Premier League would allow him to prove his ability after seeing interest from elite clubs fade because of concerns over the poor standard of the Eredivisie.
It is unknown how much influence Martin Jol, the former Tottenham manager now in charge of Ajax, has had on Suarez's interest in the move.
Spurs were the talk of Europe last week after beating European champions Inter 3-1 and have received increased exposure in the Netherlands since the £8m summer signing of Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid.
Despite their Champions League success, Redknapp's side are labouring in the Premier League and have failed to win their last four games in the division.
Tottenham's striking quartet – Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe – have misfired this term with just three league goals between them from 12 league matches.
Redknapp expressed an interest in Suarez, Edin Dzeko, Diego Forlan and Luis Fabiano over the summer but was priced out of a move for all of his main targets.
There remain concerns over how Suarez could fulfil the role as a lone striker but he is renowned for his excellent movement, skill and finishing.
Suarez is one of the hottest properties in Europe after scoring 49 goals last season and another three at the World Cup as Uruguay reached the semi-finals.
He joined Ajax from Groningen in the summer of 2007 for €7.5m (£6.4m) and quickly developed in to the star player in the Dutch capital.
, because I knew we were linked, I paid close attention to him at the WC. I think he can play the lone striker, and would link superbly with VDV. Was really impressed with the way he couldkeep possession and bring others into play even when in isolated positions and outnumbered.
