Luis Suárez switch from Liverpool to Barcelona closer after talks
Tony Barrett
Published 1 minute ago
Sánchez’s role as Barcelona makeweight in planned deal still uncertain
Luis Suárez’s transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona appears increasingly likely after a day of “productive” talks ended with the clubs closing in on an outline agreement of the forward’s value.
Despite suggestions that Barcelona would attempt to use Suárez’s recently imposed four-month suspension as a bargaining chip to try to sign the 27-year-old Uruguay forward at a discount, there was an acceptance from the Spanish club that they will have to come up with a package that at least comes close to Liverpool’s expectations.
Liverpool are seeking in the region of £80 million for the striker, and that valuation failed to deter Raul Sanllehi and Antoni Rossich, Barcelona’s football director and general director, who represented last season’s La Liga runners-up at the negotiations in London.
It is understood that during lengthy talks, Ian Ayre, the Liverpool managing director, reaffirmed his club’s desire to sign Alexis Sánchez, but although Barcelona are prepared to allow him to leave, the situation is complicated by the Chile winger not yet having determined where he sees his future amid interest from Juventus.
Ideally, Barcelona would like to include Sánchez as a makeweight in the deal and that would suit Liverpool, although settling on a price for the 25-year-old is unlikely to be straightforward after his value increased as a result of his outstanding performances at the World Cup.
Suárez is likely to move to the Nou Camp regardless of Sánchez’s position, and it is understood that Rossich outlined a proposed payment structure for the transfer. Although no deal was struck, a source close to the talks described them as “productive” as a result of both sides having “sensible expectations”. With the basis for a transfer having been established, the clubs will hold a further round of negotiations in the near future, once Barcelona have established whether Sánchez is prepared to sign for Liverpool.
While the discussions were taking place, Barcelona continued their public pursuit of Suárez, with Josep Bartomeu, the club’s president, becoming the latest high-ranking Nou Camp official to praise the former Ajax player for apologising for biting Giorgio Chiellini, the Italy defender.
“It honours him. It’s not easy to admit your mistakes,” Bartomeu said before confirming that Barcelona are in the market for a forward this summer. “We have the names and the players, but sometimes there are clubs who speculate over possible signings by Barça to manipulate the price. All I can say is that they are names that have been agreed with Luis Enrique [the new coach] and they excite us.”
Suárez is understood to have agreed personal terms in principle with Barcelona, and wants his future to be resolved at the earliest possible opportunity to avoid any prospect of an acrimonious departure from Liverpool.
That objective appears achievable, particularly with Liverpool also seeking a swift resolution to the saga as they look to ensure that there will be no repeat of last summer when Suárez unsuccessfully attempted to force a move to Arsenal, causing disruption.
With will on all sides to reach an agreement, it seems increasingly likely that Suárez will fulfil his long-held ambition to play for Barcelona and that Liverpool will not stand in his way, as long as the deal allows them the opportunity to replace a player whom Brendan Rodgers regards as one of the best in world football.
Sánchez’s arrival would go some way towards achieving that objective and Liverpool also maintain a strong interest in Lazar Markovic, the Benfica winger, with a deal for Divock Origi, the Lille forward, also close to completion.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/clubs/liverpool/article4137182.ece
