Luis Suarez’s move to Barcelona could be completed before the end of the weekend,
Talks between the clubs are ongoing, with only the fee for the striker’s services the wrangling point.
Liverpool are holding out for £80m for their star forward – a sum that would activate a release clause in his contract – while Barcelona hope to lure him for a figure in the region of £60m.
FIFA have already confirmed that Suarez will be allowed to have a medical ahead of a transfer, despite receiving a four-month ban from football.
The 27-year-old left the World Cup in disgrace after biting opponent Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s group defeat to Italy.
But an eventual apology for his latest indiscretion has smoothed the way for a switch to Spain and Barcelona’s sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, publicly backed the striker earlier this week.
“Suarez had the honour to come out and apologise for his actions and now it’s time for him to begin the recovery process,” Zubizarreta said.
On Wednesday evening a Liverpool source confirmed: “The talks held today were productive, there are sensible expectations on both sides. Further talks and discussions are to take place, but nothing is finalised as of now.”
Sky Sports’ Spanish football pundit Guillem Balague believes Suarez had to apologise in order to secure his dream move to Barcelona.
“Barcelona wanted Luis Suarez to apologise,” he said. “It is also part of an appeal that will surely reduce his ban.
“I realise many people feel cheated as he has apologised before. Biting shouldn’t be done but can be corrected and Chiellini has accepted the apology, so who are we not to do the same?”
The future of Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez is also believed to remain on the agenda, but it is understood the Chile forward will not be used as a makeweight and that any deal would be brokered separately.
