Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has admitted that it would have been a much better scenario if the club’s former striker Luis Suarez sealed a move out of the Spanish La Liga and to Juventus instead. The Uruguayan striker was forced out of Barca after he was deemed surplus to requirements at the club by current boss Koeman and the striker joined Barca’s rivals Atletico Madrid.

Before joining Atletico, the former Liverpool man was close to signing for Italian Serie A giants Juventus. However, the move fell through and he instead opted to sign for Atletico on a free transfer. Barcelona have not been themselves so far this campaign and may already be ruing the decision to let one of their star players leave the club, especially given that he is doing outstandingly well since leaving the Camp Nou.

And now, Koeman has revealed that even though he still defends his decision to let Suarez leave the club in the summer, he would have preferred that the striker joined another club instead of their direct rivals.

Speaking to the Athletic, Koeman said the decision to allow Suarez go was made after he sat with the club’s board to engage in discussions about the team. He said the rebuild he has already started will pay off and only needs time to start yielding fruits. The boss said it was Suarez’s decision to join Atletico and they had no choice but to grant him the request even though it’s one he still dislikes.