Long linked with MLS moves, strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez are primed to leave European powerhouse clubs.
Andrea Pirlo, the new manager of Serie A giants Juventus, has confirmed that Higuain is not part of their long-term plans. As for Luis Suarez, he’s reportedly not included in new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman’s plans at the La Liga powerhouse.
The developments come as the global stars have generated reported MLS interest, with Suarez most strongly connected to Inter Miami and Higuain linked to the LA Galaxy and D.C. United. The Suarez move is buttressed by supportive comments from Seattle Sounders midfielder and Uruguay national team teammate Nicolas Lodeiro. Meanwhile, Higuan’s older brother, Federico, is now with D.C. after starring for Columbus Crew SC from 2012-19. There's also the Argentina link at LA through head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
Higuain, 32, has enjoyed a storied European career since leaving River Plate in 2007. He's gone onto play for Real Madrid, Napoli and Juventus, with loan spells at AC Milan and Chelsea. He has 31 goals in 75 games for Argentina's national team, helping his country reach a FIFA World Cup final (2014) and two Copa America finals (2015, '16).
Suarez, 33, has similarly cemented his place as a world-class striker, truly bursting onto the scene upon his move to Ajax in 2007. He then moved to Liverpool before arriving at Barcelona, where he won the UEFA Champions League (2014-15) and four La Liga and Copa Del Ray titles apiece. On the international stage, Suarez has 59 goals in 113 caps for Uruguay on top of lifting the 2011 Copa America trophy.
Should either striker indeed come to MLS, they'd immediately be two of the league's highest-profile players. While different scenarios, it could resemble when Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney both arrived in MLS in 2018 after stops at Manchester United and Everton, respectively. Now, it's all about seeing where these stars head next for their club career.
