Man United lead the race to prise ex-Liverpool man from Barcelona

Not so long ago, Luis Suarez was public enemy number one at Old Trafford, but with Jose Mourinho keen to secure the Barcelona hitman’s services, Man United are now – incredibly – favourites to be his next club.

The former Liverpool hitman proved himself to be one of the Premier League’s greatest ever strikers during his time on Merseyside, but it’s at Barcelona where he’s staked a place among the world’s very best with an astonishing 94 goals and 56 assists in 110 games.

That’s unsurprisingly caught the eye of Manchester United, whose expensively-assembled squad are struggling for goals right now, having netted just 13 times in their 10 Premier League games.

By contrast, Suarez alone has chalked up more than half as many in La Liga this campaign, with seven in 10 – while he’s also set up another four.

With that record, there’s little doubt the Uruguayan would be among the world’s most expensive players – but Man United are just 4/1 to snap him up, with Jose Mourinho believed to be willing to part with a world-record £135m to acquire his services.

However, they could face competition from a familiar foe, with 6/1 available for the Salto native to head down the road and join Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City revolution.

An emotional return to Liverpool is priced at 10/1, but it’s another of Suarez’s former employers – Ajax – who are most likely for a reunion at 6/1.

A Ladbrokes’ spokesperson said: “Suarez’s transformation from pantomime villain to terrace hero at Old Trafford would surely mark football’s craziest ever transfer saga, but the bookies reckon the sublime striker could sink his teeth into football with Mourinho’s men.”

Whether Suarez ends up heading for Old Trafford or not, United’s goal-shy strikers need to start finding the net at Fenerbahce on Thursday night, or risk Mourinho heading into the market for a new set of forwards.

It’s 5/4 the Red Devils taste victory in Turkey, but if they draw another blank at 13/5, the Portuguese gaffer could be getting his credit card out sooner rather than later.

Ladbrokes Latest Odds:

Luis Suarez – Next Permanent Club

Manchester United – 4/1

Manchester City – 6/1

Ajax – 6/1

Liverpool – 10/1

Arsenal – 16/1

Atletico Madrid – 33/1

Real Madrid – 33/1

Luis Suarez – Transfer Specials

To leave Barcelona by end of Summer 2017 transfer window – 8/1

To join Manchester United by end of Summer 2017 transfer window – 12/1

To join Manchester United by end of January 2017 transfer window – 50/1

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing