Former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has been reacting to Aston Villa’s reported interest in Luis Suarez, as per Football Insider.
The Lowdown: Move off?
Villa have already brought in two new players in Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos, while also making Phillipe Coutinho and Robin Olsen’s loan moves permanent.
Next up on Steven Gerrard’s wish list could be an attacking signing, with Suarez under consideration by Villa, according to The Athletic.
The Uruguayan - who played alongside the 42-year-old at Liverpool, scoring 69 goals in 110 Premier League games - is a free agent after being released by Atletico Madrid. However, according to the BBC’s Phil McNulty, the 35-year-old ‘will not be coming to Villa Park’.
The Latest: Campbell’s comments on Suarez
Campbell, who previously played for the likes of Arsenal and Everton and now contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding Villa and Suarez.
He still can see a move to the Midlands materialising despite McNulty’s update, claiming that the striker’s ‘instinct is still there’.
However, Campbell did cite reservations over Suarez's veteran status, saying:
“Listen, he’s not got the legs and he’s not the player that he once was.
“But I’ll tell you one thing, if you create chances for him he will take them. That instinct is still there.
“He hasn’t got that fitness, that sharpness that he once had, that relentless effort but he’s still a schemer.
“A couple of seasons ago, when they won La Liga, he was the top man, the top goalscorer. That just goes to show that he knows where the goal is.
“Villa do create a lot of chances, that is one thing that they do.
“Could I see it happening? Yes, I could see it happening. A couple of seasons with Suarez in and around the team I think would be a good team for Villa.”
The Verdict: Watkins and Ings going nowhere for now
Villa’s two senior strikers, Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings, have been linked with summer exits in recent weeks. However, with no immediate sign of another centre-forward coming in - especially Suarez - it may be wise to keep hold of the pair over the coming weeks before giving the green light to any potential sale.
Gerrard could still end up landing a star striker prior to his first full season in charge in the Midlands, which may then change things when it comes to Watkins and Ings. However, with the Villa manager finding success in a system using two centre-forwards, it would be wise to keep them around for now, especially following this Suarez transfer twist.
In other news: 'Incomings...' - Chief reporter drops what Villa supporters should now 'expect' after Olsen move