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Luis Suarez: Barcelona star backed to secure new deal despite search for replacement
FORMER Barcelona president Joan Gaspart says Luis Suarez’s stunning form should earn him a new contract at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona stars travel to Milan for Inter Champions League clash
Suarez, 31, is La Liga’s leading marksman this season with nine goals in 11 appearances and he still has three years left to run his current deal.
Despite his amazing stats this term, he admits the club are looking for a younger striker to replace him in the long-term and claims he has no problem with that.
“That Barcelona are looking for a nine, it's normal," he said. “I’m already 31 years old.”
However, Gaspart says the club should be looking to tie their their star striker down for the next five years regardless of his age.
“I love what Luis Suarez has been saying, he is a great player and a sensational person,” Gaspart said.
“Players are usually selfish, they usually think that they come first and if they start to slip over the years it is not their problem.
“I heard him and thought, damn, what a great guy!
“If I were president I would give him five more years on his contract and if he doesn’t play, it’s fine!”
Suarez is set to line up against Inter Milan in the Champions League at the San Siro on Tuesday night.
They can secure top spot with victory over the Italians after winning all of their first three games in Group B.
Ernesto Valverde’s side won the reverse fixture at the Nou Camp 2-0 but the Barca boss is expecting a sterner test away from home.
Valverde has Lionel Messi available for selection after he recovered from a fractured arm suffered just two and a half weeks ago.
But he insists he will not take any unnecessary risks by rushing him back into action.
"Leo is at the point where he could be available, but we have to wait. It depends on training," he said.
"There are three or four options, but we will not take risks (with Messi).
"I think it's better if he's there. More than anything because he is one more (player) and so we have more to choose from.
“Of course, it is necessary for Messi to recover.”
Valverde also admits he is happy to be one game away from qualification but says he will not take Inter likely.
"To already be in this situation in the fourth game of the group is great,” he added.
“But I do not want to take too many risks. We are going to prepare for the game. We would like to win, of course.
"We need to control the game to try to reach the goal. It's the same for Inter. But you also have to be forceful.
We're expecting a similar opponent to the one we had at Camp Nou – definitely more aggressive because of the pressure (on them).
"Inter have good intensity, they want to dominate the game and press high.
“That's why they've had such a good run this season. We expect a better Inter."