The defender has become the latest figure at Camp Nou to endorse the Uruguayan’s abilities, while offering his sympathy to team-mate Neymar following his World Cup-ending injury

Barcelona defender Marc Bartra has described Luis Suarez as “a very complete” forward and says he would be welcome at Camp Nou.

The Spanish giants are in advanced talks over a deal for the Uruguay and Liverpol star as they prepare to launch an €88 million offer for the player.

Suarez will miss the start of the 2014-15 season after receiving a four-month ban from all football activity for his bite on Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, but Bartra is adamant the 27-year-old would be a great signing for the club.

“For me he’s a great player and, if he comes, he would be welcome. He is a very complete striker,” he told reporters at a sponsor event.

Suarez would become Barca’s fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Ivan Rakitic and goalkeepers Claudio Bravo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen – three players Bartra believes will be key additions.

“Bravo knows La Liga well and that’s good. Ter Stegen is a great keeper from what I’ve seen, he saves a lot and is good with his feet. Rakitic is very complete and I am sure he will adapt quickly to the team.”

Barcelona are also believed to be in the market for a central defender following the retirement of Carles Puyol, with Paris Saint-Germain youngster Marquinhos among those linked with a move, but Bartra is not concerned by the prospect of increased competition for places.

“With the loss of Puyi, it’s normal that someone comes in his place. I’m calm, I’m eager to start, and whoever comes in, I’ll try to help him. Whoever he is, I’m eager to win my place,” he said.

Finally, Bartra backed team-mate Neymar to come back even stronger after suffering a back injury which has ruled him out of the rest of the World Cup.

“It’s a shame because he could have given more at the Wold Cup. Knowing him, I’m sure he is annoyed, because they are losing the best player at the World Cup,” he added.

“I hope he recovers as soon as possible and can start with us. I’m sure this will make him stronger.”

The Barcelona forward can revitalise the north Londoners’ immediate fortunes while Liverpool will be searching for a Luis Suarez replacement

By Wayne Veysey | UK Correspondent

ALEXIS SANCHEZ COULD BE WENGER’S DEFINING SIGNING

Arsenal’s two-year search to replace Robin van Persie has been a lengthy and frustrating one.

But with a €40 million deal for Alexis Sanchez edging tantalisingly closer, the Gunners could finally have a forward worthy of following in the footsteps of the Dutchman and his iconic predecessors, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Ian Wright.

Signing Sanchez would transform not only Arsenal’s front line but also their immediate fortunes.

A team who, with Olivier Giroud as their lone spearhead, too often look slow against marquee opponents, especially during Theo Walcott’s frequent injury absences, are increasingly confident of having the luxury of calling on a forward capable of scaring all defences.

A technically gifted speedster with an eye for goal, Alexis is set to make way at Barcelona to free up funds for the €88m signing of Luis Suarez.

Yet his transfer-market availability is no reflection of his standing. Only Lionel Messi scored more than the Chilean’s 21 Barcelona goals last season and he was a player in demand even before a series of outstanding World Cup displays further enhanced his reputation.

The prospect of Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain linking up with Alexis is a lip-smackingly enticing one.

Gunners fans, wary of Arsene Wenger’s innate caution in the market and the number of deals for strikers that have fallen through for the club in the last two years, could be forgiven for reining in their excitement.

Only when the white smoke starts puffing out of the Emirates Stadium can the celebrations at an audacious signing begin.

TIME FOR LIVERPOOL TO FIND SUAREZ REPLACEMENT

It has been a whirlwind start to the window for Liverpool.

They have completed the signings of Adam Lallana, Emre Can and Rickie Lambert and are close to finalising a deal to sell Suarez to Barcelona.

With the Uruguayan’s move set to be a straight cash deal, the focus will turn to the club finding a blue-chip replacement.

Accepting that Suarez is irreplaceable, Liverpool would have known when they agreed the release clause that was inserted in the Uruguayan’s contract last December that there was a reasonable chance that it would be triggered this summer by a more wealthy and glamorous club.

It is the task of Liverpool’s tier of recruitment executives, working from the information of their network of scouts, to source the next Suarez – easier said than done in a global market where secret superstars are virtually non-existent.

Highly promising Belgium striker Divock Origi is set to join from Lille, although a mooted loan back may now be on the backburner following the Suarez developments.

Yet Liverpool need a ready-made forward star rather than a potential one if they are not to move backwards following their astonishing improvement last season.

Alexis, two years younger and €48m cheaper than Suarez, could be that man, although there is little optimism at Anfield that he will choose Liverpool ahead of his other suitors.

With money to burn, the onus is now on Liverpool to recruit a mobile and technically gifted goalscorer who will fit into Brendan Rodgers’s playing style.

Assuming that Lambert will be third choice behind Daniel Sturridge and Suarez’s successor, the Merseysiders now need to demonstrate that their knack for procuring top-notch attacking talent remains.

Much of the Joachim Low’s squad took to social media after their 1-0 win over France to voice their delight, while England players enjoyed their holidays before pre-season

The first two quarter-finals are over and we have our first semi-final as the World Cup sambas towards its conclusion in nine days’ time.

A below-par France were outdone by a Mats Hummels header while hosts Brazil continued their march to the final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Colombia.

The Germany squad were out in force after the win – take note of Thomas Muller in particular – while supermodel Gisele wore her Selecao colours proudly. And, of course, no WOTT would be complete without Rihanna’s latest thoughts on the tournament.

Elsewhere, some of England’s contingent are making the most of their time off before pre-season by going to Los Angeles or TGI Friday’s. Whatever takes your fancy, I guess…

‘WE DID IT!’… Germany beat France to reach semi-finals

Yeeeeah!! We did it! 1/2 final can come!! #Semifinal #DFB #Team #Rio #germany #Poldi #aha pic.twitter.com/ofA6AIMoA6

— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) July 4, 2014

Wir sind soooooooooooo happy! pic.twitter.com/HLprKjnN97

— Thomas Müller (@esmuellert_) July 4, 2014

we are ONE team … a happy team 🙂 #DFBTeam #Brasil2014 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/JvyLuzG85T

— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) July 4, 2014

MANY THANKS 4 your support… This beautiful adventure ends today, but we are proud of the work we’ve accomplished here… #tobecontinued

— Morgan Schneiderlin (@SchneiderlinMo4) July 4, 2014

This is bittersweet!!!! I shed a tear for you Rodriguez!!! :'(

— Rihanna (@rihanna) July 4, 2014

‘GO BRAZIL!’… Gisele shows her colours

ON THEIR JOLLIES… England squad relax ahead of pre-season

How is it the best centre back in the Premiership can’t get in the French team!?!? #Strange #Kos #Gooner

— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) July 4, 2014

Having great time in LA! #Holidays #USA #4thofJuly pic.twitter.com/KIrZPZRC4z

— Phil Jones (@PhilJones4) July 4, 2014

With @Pharrell and @DeSeanJackson11 backstage at the @BET awards. Was a sick experience. pic.twitter.com/o0R64ZosVm

— Daniel Sturridge (@D_Sturridge) July 4, 2014