Suarez ‘would welcome ex-Liverpool team-mate Johnson to Barca’

Ian Watson

Glen Johnson: Impressed Suarez as his Liverpool team-mate

Luis Suarez would reportedly back any move Barcelona make for his former Liverpool team-mate Glen Johnson.

The Stoke defender is reportedly on the list of candidates as Barca look for a solution to their current problems at right-back.

The Catalans have struggled to fill the void created by Dani Alves’ departure to Juventus in the summer, with £16million signing Aleix Vidal failing to impress as the Brazilian’s replacement.

Luis Enrique has instead been employing Sergi Roberto at right-back and Barca are reportedly keen to send Vidal out on loan in January.

Should Vidal leave, Enrique wants to bring in cover for Roberto, with England defender Johnson said to be on the list of candidates being considered.

Sergi Roberto Barcelona

Johnson is in the final year of his contract at Stoke so the 32-year-old would be an inexpensive addition for the Catalans.

According to the Daily MailSuarez would be happy to welcome his old team-mate to the Nou Camp, with the Uruguayan having spoken in his autobiography of his admiration for Johnson.

Suarez wrote: “He impressed me hugely. He has a combination of physical strength, power and intelligence and technically he’s so good that despite being right footed he shoots better off of his left foot.”

Glen Johnson: Defender recently recalled to England squad