Wayne Rooney insists he respects Luis Suarez but has played down rumours linking DC United with the prolific Uruguay international.
Suarez, 35, is one of the greatest strikers of his generation. He's scored more than 500 goals for club and country and won trophies in the Netherlands, England, Spain and his homeland. He's lifted seven league titles, the Copa America and Champions League.
The Liverpool and Barcelona icon is currently a free agent after being released by Spanish giants Atletico Madrid at the end of last season. Despite his advancing years, Suarez has no plans to retire ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Suarez has been linked with a number of clubs since leaving Atletico, including a reunion with Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa. Many are backing him to join an MLS side with Inter Miami - a potential future destination for Lionel Messi - in the running for his signature.
DC have also been tipped to make a move for Suarez but Rooney, who was unveiled as the club's new manager on Tuesday, doesn't seem to enthusiastic by the idea. The former Derby County boss says he wants to bring in "hungry" players rather than superstars.
"I respect Luis Suarez a lot," said Rooney when asked about Suarez. "I think as a player, he's an incredible player. But I want players who are hungry.
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"I want players to come to this club who are hungry and who want to play for the club but also have a lot to give and are capable of playing every game and training every training session. We're working extremely hard to identify the right profile of players we want to bring in."
Suarez has received up to half-a-dozen offers from MLS clubs. "The market in MLS is very complex – some clubs want you, but they don't have the slots, and so it would have to be for January," he said during a radio interview, as quoted by the MLS' official website.
"Other clubs want you now, but I have to evaluate if they have a chance to qualify for the playoffs.
"I'm not closing the door to anyone and I've listened to all the offers. But if some MLS teams don't qualify for the playoffs, they end their season in the first week of October, and that's not useful for me because I would stop for a month ahead of the World Cup, which wouldn't be good for me."
Speaking in May 2021, Suarez admitted he would be open to playing in the MLS. "Two years ago, when I played for Barcelona, I would have told you there, but then circumstances arise," he told Spanish outlet Marca.
"Now that I am here and I am happy, you consider playing for a couple more years, continuing to demonstrate and then, when the time comes, you have another option and you have to make decisions. Actually, it is difficult. I would like to have the experience of being able to play in the United States, but you never know."
