Pep Guardiola is set to deliver another blow to the Premier League by making Luis Suarez and Radamel Falcao his top Bayern Munich targets.
Former Barcelona boss Guardiola last week agreed to take over as Bayern manager in July and will spend the next five months drawing up an action plan.
That will include signing a new world-class forward, with Suarez and Falcao two players Guardiola is particularly keen on.
Bayern would be unlikely to pay out for both players, with Suarez valued at £40m and Falcao’s Atletico Madrid release clause set at £46m, so Guardiola will have to decide on his favourite.
News of Guardiola’s interest will worry both Liverpool, who are desperate to keep hold of star man Suarez, and Chelsea, who have been chasing Falcao’s signature.
Suarez’s agent is Guardiola’s brother Pere and that has been a cause of concern to some Anfield insiders ever since Pep left Barca.
Uruguay star Suarez signed a new Liverpool contract last summer and has consistently reiterated his love for the club and fans.
David Ramos
But just last week ex-Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli warned that Suarez could be driven out by the constant controversy surrounding his actions.
That was before Suarez created a new storm by admitting to diving against Stoke and claiming Manchester United control the English media.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers described the Suarez admission of diving “unacceptable”and promised the 25-year-old would be dealt with by the club.
Guardiola’s decision to snub Chelsea for Bayern was a major blow for owner Roman Abramovich and missing out on Falcao to the Spaniard would rub salt in the wounds.
Speaking last year about Falcao, Guardiola said: “He’s a sensational player — the best striker inside the box.”
Neymar is another option, but Barca are confident of landing the Brazilian.
Meanwhile, Guardiola has kept alive his dream of eventually managing Manchester United by
taking the Bayern job.
taking the Bayern job.
Sources who have worked with the Spaniard, maintain he would ideally like to manage at Old Trafford when he does move to the Premier League.