Luis Suarez

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 football activity for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The BBC quoted a senior Liverpool source as saying the 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 Liverpool 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, 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 appears to be their preferred choice as Suarez’s replacement. However club president Josep Bartomeu told reporters 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 over Italy in Natal on June 24, Suarez issued a carefully worded statement on Monday, admitting his offence and vowing there would be no repeat.

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta stoked rumours of a possible move for Suarez to the Catalan club on Tuesday by praising him for his ‘humility’ in admitting his mistake.

Blatter welcomes apology

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has also praised Suarez after he apologised for biting Chiellini.

“He said ‘I’m sorry’ to the soccer family, and that’s fair play too,” Blatter told reporters in Rio de Janeiro.

“That shows he’s a great player and I hope he can have his soccer career back.”

FIFA came under fierce criticism, particularly in Uruguay, for the severity of the punishment handed down to Suarez.

The organisation cited the fact that Suarez had shown no remorse, and had been banned twice before for biting, when explaining its record penalty.

Uruguay President Jose Mujica said FIFA bosses meted out “fascist” treatment to Suarez.

Blatter would not be drawn on Mujica’s comments.

“The president is totally independent,” he said. “I can’t comment on what he said.”