Transfer Centre

PFA to "help" resolve Luis Suarez's Liverpool contract issue

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 07 August 2013

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor says that they have been asked to "help" resolve the contract controversy involving Liverpool and striker Luis Suarez.

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has confirmed that they have been asked to "help" resolve the contract issue at the centre of Liverpool striker Luis Suarez's transfer saga.

The Uruguay international has claimed that Reds manager Brendan Rodgers gave the forward his word that he could leave Anfield for a Champions League club this summer if they failed to reach the top four in the Premier League.

Suarez's camp believe that a £40,000,001 bid from Arsenal triggered a release clause in the player's contract, but Liverpool are believed to have stated that £40m is the minimum figure that would make them consider opening negotiations.

"These buy-out clauses have caused no end of problems in the past and they continue to do so because of the way they were drafted at the time," Taylor told talkSPORT.

"We have raised this issue with the Premier League, that buy-out clauses should have a great deal more clarity because I've never seen one yet that hasn't caused trouble. There are different ways it can be interpreted.

"If it goes to the Premier League, it will take time and the window is then closed. It is a delicate situation and we are trying to help. We have been asked to try and help to sort the situation out and we have been trying to do that."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stated that the club's move is on "standby".