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Luis Suarez's Anfield exit has moved a step closer after Liverpool FC held “productive” talks with Barcelona over a potential £75million deal.

Reds chief executive Ian Ayre opened negotiations with a delegation from the Spanish giants in London on Wednesday.

The ECHO understands that the discussions were amicable and more talks are set to take place over the coming week.

Barcelona's initial offer of around £60million fell well short of the Reds' demands of around £75million but it looks increasingly likely that an agreement will be reached.

An Anfield source said: “The talks were productive with sensible expectations on both sides.

“Further talks and discussions will take place in due course. Nothing is finalised as of now.”

Ayre reminded Barcelona that Suarez is under contract until 2018 and made it clear that the prolific Uruguayan will only be sold on Liverpool's terms.

Despite the 27-year-old's four-month ban from all football following his bite on Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, Anfield officials are adamant that if Suarez does go it will be for a fee that reflects his worth.

The Reds were prepared to keep last season's Footballer of the Year and give him the help he needed in the wake of his shameful conduct at the World Cup.

However, Barcelona's approach – coupled with the player's desire to move to the Nou Camp and take advantage of the release clause in the lucrative contract he penned last December – led to them reluctantly agreeing to kick-start negotiations.

Boss Brendan Rodgers is determined to ensure there is no protracted transfer saga which disrupts the club's pre-season preparations.

During Wednesday's talks in the capital, Liverpool informed the Barca delegation, which included their director of football management Raul Sanllehi, that they would accept £30million rated Chilean attacker Alexis Sanchez plus around £45million for Suarez.

However, the ECHO understands that securing the services of Sanchez isn't a deal breaker in the Suarez negotiations.

Sanchez is currently considering his options with reports in Spain suggesting he favours a move to Arsenal.

Liverpool would accept a straight cash offer for Suarez with Rodgers then given those funds to strengthen his ranks ahead of the 2014/15 campaign.

Barca president Jose Maria Bartomeu has continued the club's public courting of the Reds' frontman by praising him for his apology to Chiellini.

“Luis has apologised and that is honourable, he said.

“He’s taken a step towards rehabilitating. The football world should support him and help him.

“Admitting you have done something wrong is very important. As a football fan I hope he can turn a corner.”

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