Lionel Messi not comfortable with Luis Suarez move to Barcelona’s rivals Atletico Madrid

Luis Suarez has revealed that he spoke with Lionel Messi before deciding to leave Barcelona for Atletico Madrid, with the Argentine superstar dubbing his move to a La Liga rival as ‘strange’.

New Barca boss Ronald Koeman quickly decided that he did not count on Suarez in his vision for the club, with the Catalan side’s hierarchy happy to shift his enormous salary off the wage bill.

The move was made official, with Suarez given an official farewell press conference by Barcelona on Thursday in which he was visibly emotional about having to leave Camp Nou.

According to the Metro, Suarez forged a number of bonds at the club, on and off the pitch, and became particularly close with Messi, who is not entirely comfortable about having to face off against the Uruguayan this season – though Suarez insists their relationship will be survive.

Speaking at the press conference, Suarez said: “Leo knows what I think and I know what he thinks. We are old enough to give each other advice.

“Leo felt strange because I’m going to a direct rival, but nothing will change our relationship. I have already faced Leo with the national team so this will not change our relationship.’ He added:

“Everyone knows about the relationship we have.

“When you arrive at Barca they tell you, ‘Be careful with Leo, he’s different’. Many things are invented. I’m very proud.”

Before making his final decision to join Atletico, Suarez revealed he spoke to Barca teammate Antoine Griezmann and compatriot and Uruguay teammate Diego Godin about the club.

He continued: “I have spoken with Diego and Antoine. I am leaving with great enthusiasm and expectations.

“Atletico have always been fighting for La Liga and that reflects that they are a competitive and ambitious team. I hope to achieve something important with my new team.”

Declan Rice desperate to make Chelsea move

Reports in England state that Declan Rice is still pushing for a transfer to Chelsea despite the odds against the move.

The 21-year-old’s club West Ham are insistent they will not sell the England star.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Hammers vice-captain is keen to get a move back to Chelsea.

There is a suggestion that Rice’s agent is already in negotiations with the Stamford Bridge club over a potential move with the two clubs close to beginning talks.

However, according to The Sun, there still has been no official bid put in from any club for the Three Lions international as of yet.

Rice was released by the Blues at the age of 14 before making the switch across London, where he has made 111 first-team appearances.

Frank Lampard reacts as Southampton, West Ham, six other clubs chase Loftus-Cheek

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a man in demand as at least eight clubs are interested in taking the midfielder on loan, according to The Telegraph.

The 24-year-old has not featured in either of Chelsea’s last two matchday squads after a disappointing performance in their season opener against Brighton.

Dean Smith’s Villa side have shown a keen interest – and are also looking at Loftus-Cheek’s team-mate Ross Barkley.

But West Ham would give Loftus-Cheek an opportunity to stay in London.

And, according to talkSport, Southampton are equally interested in signing in Loftus-Cheek.

The Saints want the 24-year-old as a replacement for former captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

He has fallen out-of-favour under the management of Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge.

His teammate, Antonio Rudiger, is equally facing uncertain future at Stamford Bridge as explained by the west London club’s manager Frank Lampard.

According to Lampard: “The situation with both is that they weren’t in the squad. I had a similar answer from the other day, they just weren’t in the squad. That is just a choice at the moment,” said Lampard.

“Again with the centre-halves I can’t have them all in the squad. I keep getting asked about the size of the squad.

“There might be movement, we know that, but nothing is concrete so don’t read too much into those selections at the minute.

“It will have to be things which are right for the club and individuals and me and in terms of what happens in the next couple of weeks.”