Barcelona takes chance on banned biter Luis Suarez

BARCELONA, Spain – Barcelona reached agreement with Liverpool on the transfer of Luis Suarez on Friday, giving the troubled striker a chance to rehabilitate his image when his latest biting ban is over.

Suarez will travel to Barcelona next week for a medical and to sign a five-year contract.

“We would like to thank Luis for his contribution and the role he played in helping bring Champions League football back to Anfield,” Liverpool said in a statement on its website.

The Uruguay international is prevented from any involvement in football until the end of October after being handed a four-month suspension by FIFA for biting an Italian opponent at the World Cup in Brazil. Barcelona had no qualms in bolstering its strike force with the footballing pariah, in the hope that he can help the team regain the Spanish title.

The 27-year-old Suarez can’t train with his new Barcelona teammates under the terms of his ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay’s group stage match against Italy.

The World Cup moment of madness came at the end of a season that began with Suarez also being banned for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during an April 2013 English Premier League match. Barcelona hopes Suarez brings his goal-scoring form to the Camp Nou – he netted 31 in the Premier League last season – rather than the hot-headedness.

When Suarez is eligible to play, Barcelona will deploy a formidable front line including Lionel Messi and Neymar.