Luis Suarez did have a release clause, but had it removed when he signed a contract extension!
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez forgot he had removed the £40m release clause in his contract that Arsenal tried to activate in the summer, reports The Daily Mirror.
The Gunners infamously bid £40m and £1 for the brilliant Uruguayan forward, believing this would activate a release clause in his contract, enabling them to discuss personal terms with the 26-year-old.
Liverpool were adamant that there was no such clause, which led their chairman John W. Henry to tweet this:
What do you think they’re smoking over there at Emirates?
— John W. Henry (@John_W_Henry) July 24, 2013
Despite his protests, Liverpool refused every offer for Suarez, and are now reaping the rewards, with the 26-year-old scoring eight goals in his opening six Premier League fixtures.
It turns out that the £40m release clause did exist in Suarez’s original Liverpool contract that he signed upon arrival in January 2011, but was removed when he signed his bumper extension in 2012.
His agent Pere Guardiola insisted the clause was removed, and Liverpool were more than happy to oblige. Suarez though seemingly forgot, and believed he would be able to leave should a club stump up £40m!
Despite his excellent form, and brilliant relationship with strike-partner Daniel Sturridge, Suarez could still leave Anfield at the end of the season in search of the elite level football he deserves, with Real Madrid favourites to secure his signature.
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