Barça End Pursuit of Sporting CP Striker

Barcelona have officially decided against pursuing a deal for Sporting CP forward Luis Suárez, deeming the Colombian's asking price too steep for their current financial plans.

The 28-year-old had emerged as a surprise candidate to bolster Hansi Flick's attacking options through the middle, with Barcelona continuing their search for centre-forward reinforcements this summer. Suárez's impressive tally of 38 goals last season had caught the attention of sporting director Deco and the Camp Nou hierarchy.

Barcelona's interest in the Sporting CP man came as a direct result of their frustration in attempting to prise Julián Alvarez away from La Liga rivals Atlético Madrid. With that pursuit proving unsuccessful, Suárez was quickly identified as an alternative option.

€80m Release Clause Proves Prohibitive

However, the Catalan giants have ultimately balked at the financial demands of any potential deal. According to renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona consider the €80 million release clause in Suárez's Sporting CP contract to be far too high.

Romano reported: 'Barcelona will not activate €80m release clause for Luis Suárez as price considered too high. Sporting won't make any discounts and expect Colombian striker to stay.'

With Sporting CP unwilling to negotiate a lower fee and fully expecting their star man to remain in Lisbon, Barcelona have moved to cross Suárez's name off their shortlist almost as quickly as it was added.

The decision leaves Flick and Deco still searching for the right profile of striker to lead the line next season, as Barcelona look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign.