Liverpool have insisted Luis Suarez is not for sale and that they expect him to honour his contract with the club.
The Reds appear to face a major battle to keep hold of Suarez, with quotes from the striker suggesting he is no longer “comfortable” at Anfield and is intent on leaving.
But a spokesperson for Liverpool said: “Luis Suarez is not for sale neither Luis or his representatives have communicated these feelings directly to LFC.
“The club remains supportive of Luis and expect him to honour his contract. We will not be making any further comment at this stage.”
Doubt over his future with the Reds has increased over the last few days after he was quoted in his native Uruguay as saying “it would be difficult to say ‘no’ to Real Madrid” and “it’s a good moment for a change of environment”.
Speaking at a Uruguay national team press conference, Suarez said: “My reason for leaving is not the money if it were the money, I would have left already.
“My main reason is my family and my image that is my priority now.
“It is a difficult moment for me. The coach (Brendan Rodgers) and my colleagues know that they (the English media) didn’t treat me well here. I don’t feel comfortable here anymore.
“They know it, so I think it is understandable that I leave.”
Suarez has frequently been in the headlines over the course of his Liverpool career to date, and for a variety of reasons.
He has scored more than 50 goals for the Reds in all competitions, and in 2012-13, in which he netted 30 times, he made the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award, eventually won by Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.