Barcelona Transfer News: Luis Suarez Timeline Emerges, Liverpool Deal Imminent

Liverpool and Barcelona are reportedly disputing the fee for Luis Suarez but the Uruguayan's move from Anfield to the Camp Nou is still on and could be completed over the weekend.

Simon Jones on the Daily Mail reports the move is imminent as Liverpool look to cash-in on their controversial star:

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Barcelona expect to finalise a deal for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez over the next 48 hours.

Talks are ongoing and the Spanish club is concentrating on a straight cash deal for the 27-year-old who Liverpool value at £80million.

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Despite Suarez's four-month ban from any football-related activity imposed by FIFA for biting Giorgio Chiellini, he has been given the go-ahead to have a medical to move along the potential transfer, as confirmed by the head of FIFA’s disciplinary committee Claudio Sulser, per the Guardian:

"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."

Having initially attempted to avoid responsibility for the Chiellini incident, he eventually issued an apology via his Twitter feed:

This expression of remorse was supposedly ordered by Barcelona in order for Suarez to be able to make the switch and Barcelona's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta praised Suarez for his actions, per Sky Sports:

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

With the formalities out of the way, the key negotiations between Liverpool and Barca have now begun with the Reds demanding £80 million for the striker, to activate Suarez's release clause.

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

However, the La Liga giants are angling for a £60 million transfer as they attempt to bring Suarez to Barcelona. Talks are said to be ongoing but continue to be productive, according to a Liverpool source on Wednesday, per Ben Smith on BBC Sport:

"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."

Much rumour surrounding the transfer has also included the potential of Barca forward Alexis Sanchez being included in a partial swap-deal for Suarez, per Fox Soccer:

The BBC's Gary Lineker believes the Reds would do well to be rid of Suarez who is a disciplinary liability—the Chiellini incident being the third such episode in the 27-year-old's career—and backs the potential Sanchez swap:

While Suarez was Liverpool's best player as they finished second in the Premier League last season, top-scoring in the English top-flight, his latest ban could prove the final straw for the Anfield outfit. 

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers would be able to bring in several high-quality replacements if they do indeed receive their asking price for Suarez and build their squad ahead of domestic and Champions League campaigns in 2014-15.