Transfer Talk: Suarez eyeing shock Premier League return with VIlla

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is reportedly ready to make a stunning move for ex-Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez.

Eyebrows were raised around the football world when the Villans managed to land playmaker Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona earlier this month.

The presence of former colleague Gerrard in the dugout proved a decisive factor in the Brazilian’s thinking — and now another Kop cult hero is said to be on Villa’s radar.

Suarez, 34, is considering his options with less than six months remaining on his current deal at LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid.

And Spanish journalist Gerard Romero reports that the Uruguayan has already rejected offers from Brazilian trio Palmeiras, Corinthians and Atletico Mineiro in favour of pursuing a reunion with Gerrard.

Should Villa complete a deal for Suarez, it would mark a Premier League return for one of the most exciting forwards in the division's history.

During three glorious years at Anfield between 2011 and 2014, the mercurial marksman netted 82 goals in 133 Liverpool appearances — even winning the European Golden Boot in his final campaign.

Any deal would be more likely to take place in the summer when the forward is a free agent but current boss Diego Simeone is likely to push for his employers to retain the hitman's services.

Suarez only has one goal in his last 10 LaLiga appearances but the Atleti boss has still thrown his support behind the striker this week.

Simeone said: "We have spoken with Luis for two months about what I think of him, of how important he is for us and the situations that we create for him and without him on the pitch.

"What I think of him, he knows it and I didn’t speak to him just after Sevilla, I have spoken to him for two months."

In other news

Newcastle are considering a shock move for former Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli, report the Daily Star.

The enigmatic Italian, 31, is currently with Turkish outfit Adana Demirspor and has a low release clause in his contract according to the club’s president.

ESPN believe that Paris Saint-Germain are close to tempting Kylian Mbappe into a short-term contract extension in the French capital amid interest from Real Madrid.

The report also claims that Les Parisiens are also plotting moves for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and in-demand AC Milan star Franck Kessie.

Burnley have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke, with the Evening Standard reporting that the Belgian has no interest in a move to Lancashire.

The Clarets are thought to have identified Benteke as an ideal replacement for Chris Wood, who they were forced to sell to relegation rivals Newcastle when his release clause was triggered last week.