Liverpool have agreed to sell striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona on a five-year deal for a fee of about £75m. The Uruguay forward, 27, is serving a four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.

Suarez, who won the PFA Player of the Year award last season after scoring 31 league goals, will travel to the Spanish club next week for a medical.

"Luis is a very special talent and I thank him for the role he has played," said Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

Suarez, last season's Premier League top scorer, signed for Liverpool from Ajax in 2011 for £22.7m, and had four years left on his contract.

"I hope you can all understand why I have made this decision," said Suarez, who is banned from "all football-related activity" as he serves his third suspension for biting an opponent.

"This club did all they could to get me to stay, but playing and living in Spain, where my wife's family live, is a lifelong dream and  ambition. I believe now the timing is right."