Barcelona to Launch £80m Bid for Liverpool Star Luis Suarez This Week

Barcelona are set to launch a £80m bid for Liverpool star Luis Suarez this week, according to reports.

Recently it was reported that the Catalans are in advanced talks with the Uruguayan, who has also reportedly told his close friends he is likely to join Barca – while the negotiations with Liverpool have already started.

Former Ajax midfielder Gabri revealed that Suarez has long been eyeing a move to the Camp Nou, saying: "He's a player that has always considered coming here [Barcelona] one day, and if he did it would make me very happy. I think Barça would be making a great signing."

Suarez was banned by Fifa from all football for four months and handed a nine-match international ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's World Cup victory over Italy last week.

Reports in Spain claimed that Suarez's latest transgression could complicate his move to the Nou Camp, as Barcelona face a real dilemma about the advantages and disadvantages of signing a player as temperamental as the Liverpool forward.

However, the ban does not preclude a transfer and reports in Spain claim Barcelona are maintaining their interest in the Uruguayan. And, according to the Daily Mail, the Catalan giants are ready to make a formal £80m offer to secure Suarez's services imminently.

Now Barca will seek to reduce the forward's price due to the sanction, as he will not be allowed to play until late October – unless Uruguay's Federation succeeds in attenuating or overturning the ban.

Real Madrid have also been strongly linked with Suarez but reports in Spain suggested the Champions League winners are now out of the race for the striker in light of his behaviour.

The Uruguayan international, who signed a new deal at Anfield just a few months ago, was the standout player for the Reds last season by scoring 31 goals in the league – performances which made him a contender for the Ballon d'Or.