Liverpool have reportedly held “productive” talks with Barcelona over the proposed sale of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez but an agreement is yet to be reached.
The BBC Sport reports that the Anfield club chief executive Ian Ayre was in London meeting with senior Barcelona officials for much of Wednesday.
The ‘Reds’ are believed to be holding out for a fee not less than the release clause in the 27-year-old’s contract, which is thought to be between £70m to £80m.
“There are sensible expectation between both sides,” a senior Liverpool source is quoted on BBC Sport as saying.
“Further talks and discussions will take place but no deal has yet been finalised.”
Suarez, who joined from Ajax in 2011 for £22.7m, still has four years left in his current contract signed last December, but wouldn’t turn down a move to the La Liga and especially playing for the ‘Baulgranas’.
Barcelona are understood to be lining up a bid in the region of £60m. The deal may also bank on the inclusion of Chile and Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez in part exchange for Suarez.
While Barca are willing to offload the 25-year-old Chilean, Liverpool do not fancy the winger’s involvement as crucial- and there is a growing sense at Anfield that Barcelona are close to offering another player both club could agree on.
Suarez is presently serving four months ban for biting Italy’s Georgio Chiellini during the World Cup.
He has since apologised for biting Chiellini, which has drawn praises from the Catalan giants sporting director Andoni Zunizarreta and their newly signed Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic amongst many.
