Suarez: owes Liverpool, says Souness

Suarez, 26, reportedly told Spanish newspaper Marca that he is hoping to quit the Merseyside club and join a team in the Champions League, with Arsenal seemingly leading the race for his signature having already offered £40million and one pound.

However, former Liverpool player and manager Souness believes the Uruguayan should continue his career with the Reds after they supported him through his ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra and last campaign's bite on Branislav Ivanovic for which he is midway through a 10-game suspension.

Souness reckons the ex-Ajax frontman, who moved to Anfield in January 2011 for a fee of £22.8m, could strike a deal with Liverpool owner John W Henry that allows him to depart the club next summer, as they would be "taken to the cleaners" trying to replace him this.

"I think he does [owe Liverpool] and everyone in their correct mind would see it like that," Souness, who won three European Cup titles as a player with Liverpool, told Sky Sports News.

"I think back to the T-shirts at Wigan when he got himself in real bother and the Ivanovic situation last season - the board have stood by him, the club have stood by him and the manager has stood by him.

"You would like to think a bit of common sense and loyalty would prevail but that doesn't appear to be the case.

"If Henry really believes what he is saying [that Suarez will not be sold] then maybe he could say to him: 'Give me another year', like Sir Alex Ferguson did with Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It is all too late for Liverpool now as they would have to pay a premium on players to replace him and get taken to the cleaners - and there are no obvious replacements."

Risk

Gareth Bale, meanwhile, has generated the interest of Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid and Souness thinks the Wales winger will pen a deal with the Bernabeu team if they offer Tottenham enough money.

The Sky Sports pundit also believes Bale is likely to flourish in La Liga - but says he would have to learn how deal with a much higher level of expectation should he depart White Hart Lane.

"I can't remember the last time Real Madrid went out on a limb after a player and didn't get him, so if they come up with the right figure Bale will go," added the Scot.

"Will he do well? If it's the Bale we have seen over the last two years then yes, but there is an element of risk with every transfer - especially if you are spending £100m.

"He has turned the corner at Spurs and a lot of that is down to his mental strength and talent.

"But the question mark is how he would deal with going abroad to arguably the biggest club in the world where there is pressure every week and you have to perform."