Luis Suarez's Liverpool Release Clause Does Not Exist
Luis Suarez's hopes of leaving Liverpool have been dealt a significant blow after Professional Footballers' Association chief-executive Gordon Taylor confirmed the Uruguayan international's contract does not include an automatic release clause.
After The Reds rejected offers of £35m and £40m + £1 from Arsenal, Suarez claimed manager Brendan Rodgers had broken a promise over allowing him to leave this summer after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Rodgers has reacted angrily to the accusation, claiming no agreement is in place to allow Suarez to leave Liverpool this summer after the club finished seventh in the Premier League last season.
Suarez has been in contract with the PFA in an attempt to resolve the issue as he seeks to force his way out of Anfield, while the 26 year old is threatening to call on the Premier League to rule on the deal.
But Taylor says the release clause that Suarez is claiming doesn't exist but has urged both Liverpool and Arsenal to negotiate a deal.
"If you are going to have a supposed buy-out clause it should be that, but it is different as it says if there is no qualification for the Champions League [by Liverpool] and if there is a minimum offer of £40m then the parties will get around the table to discuss things but it does not say the club has to sell," the players' union chief said.
"It quite clearly states £40m is a minimum offer for discussions, but it becomes really difficult with such clauses.
"There is a 'good faith' clause in relation to serious discussions but I can't say it is cast-iron buy-out clause."
"Luis is one of our members and we want to be supportive, however, he may well have thought such an offer would trigger a move.
"The interpretation is not that simple by any means and there is no guarantee of getting a (successful) result if it is referred to the Premier League.
"I just feel like in any other transfer it is better for both parties to get around the table to try to resolve it.
"You are hoping the club say 'If you are determined to go this is the figure we are looking at but if you are prepared to stay another year and you still want to go we will accept this much'.
"At the moment it is certainly festering and I don't think it is a good situation for the player or the clubs involved.
"It is not edifying and that is why I feel we had to do our best to get round the table and see if there are grounds for consideration for the move but it (the clause) is not specific and 100% certain.
"We are in touch with both parties to try to see if some resolution can be achieved that is satisfactory to both sides."
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