Barca to open bid for Suarez

Barcelona are poised to formally open the bidding for Luis Suarez this week.

Club intermediaries believe they already have an accord in principle with the player and his representatives but Barca must now match Liverpool's £80m valuation.

Although Liverpool have an interest in Alexis Sanchez, the Chile star is keen to stay one more year. 

Real Madrid maintain an interest in Suarez but they have opened preliminary talks with Monaco over a deal for Radamel Falcao.

Liverpool are pressing ahead with deals for Southampton's Adam Lallana, Benfica's Lazar Markovic and Lille's Divock Origi. Although Tottenham have made a late move to sign the Belgian striker, he is expected to sign for Liverpool for £9.8m.

Liverpool are unperturbed by Real Madrid's interest with Raheem Sterling. The England international signed a long-term contract 18 months ago which incorporates annual increments.

Former Liverpool Manager, Kenny Dalglish, meanwhile, believes Liverpool should not wash their hands of Suarez in the wake of his latest biting controversy.

Suarez, who was initially brought to Anfield in 2011 by Dalglish for £22.8m, has been banned from any football-related activity by FIFA for four months after he appeared to bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in last week's World Cup Group D clash.

The Uruguay striker denies deliberately sinking his teeth into Chiellini, insisting he fell, and the Uruguay FA are preparing to lodge an appeal while Liverpool are believed to be waiting for more information from FIFA before making a decision.

Although the ban has the potential to rule out last season's PFA and FWA Player Of the Year for a significant chunk of Liverpool's 2014-15 campaign, Dalglish believes they will stick by their man.

'I think you will find that Liverpool will not turn their back on Suarez, whatever the ban FIFA have decided he must serve. Of course it will be a heavy blow.