Luis Suarez Set To Complete £80 Million Barcelona Move

By Joseph Dempsey / July 4, 2014

Peter Byrne/PA Wire/Press Association ImagesLiverpool forward Luis Suarez is set to complete his £80 million move to Barcelona within the next 48 hours, according to the Mail Online. Talks are ongoing with the two clubs locked in talks over the 27-year-old since Wednesday, but a deal now appears to be on the verge of being struck. It is understood Barca is now concentrating on a straight cash deal for Suarez - whom Liverpool value at £80 million - amid earlier reports winger Alexis Sanchez could be included in part exchange. Suarez would be allowed to undergo a medical with the Spanish side despite the fact he is currently serving a four month ban from all football related activities for biting Giorgio Chiellini. The Uruguayan bit the Italian defender at the World Cup but FIFA's disciplinary chief Claudio Sulser said:

'The player cannot have any activity related to football, but a medical examination for a transfer yes - the sanction is not linked to transfer rights.'

Suarez has appealed against the four month ban for biting Chiellini - the third such incident of his career so far. Liverpool opened talks with Barca over a transfer for the striker on Wednesday and talks between the two clubs were productive, with sensible expectations placed on both sides. Reds chief executive Ian Ayre met with Barcelona power brokers Raúl Sanllehí, Toni Rossich and Jordi Mestre, Andoni Zubizarreta - sporting director for the Catalan club, heaped praise on Suarez after the Uruguayan apologised for his biting shame, a move seen by some as paving the way for a move to Barca. He said:

'Suarez had the honour to come out and apologise for his actions and now it's time for him to begin the recovery process.'