Barcelona, Liverpool hold ‘productive’ talks on Suarez
Friday, 4 July 2014 00:00
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Reuters: Barcelona and Liverpool held ‘productive’ talks in London on Wednesday over the possible transfer of disgraced Anfield striker Luis Suarez but no deal was finalised, British media reported.
Barcelona appear to be leading the race among clubs linked with the 27-year-old Uruguayan, who was expelled from the World Cup and handed a nine-match competitive international ban as well as a four-month sanction from any soccer activity for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.
The BBC quoted a senior Liverpool source as saying Wednesday’s talks had been productive and would continue.
“There are sensible expectations on both sides. Further talks and discussions will take place but no deal has yet been finalised,” the source added. Sky Sports television reported a similar outcome.
The meeting between the Merseyside club officials and a delegation led by Raul Sanllehi, Barcelona’s director of football management, had been scheduled to discuss the future of last season’s Premier League top scorer.
In order to prise Suarez away from Liverpool, the Spanish club will either need to meet a release clause, reportedly around 70-80 million pounds ($118-$134 million), in his revised contract or possibly offer a player-plus-cash deal.
Should the Merseysiders opt for the latter agreement, Barcelona’s Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez - a Liverpool target in the past - appears to be the Anfield side’s preferred choice as Suarez’s replacement.
However club president Josep Bartomeu told reporters on Wednesday that Barcelona were “counting on” Sanchez for next season despite enquiries from many clubs.
After initially denying that he bit Chiellini in Uruguay’s 1-0 win in Natal on June 24, Suarez issued a carefully worded statement on Monday, admitting his offence and vowing there would be no repeat.
