Former Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli has claimed that Luis Suarez told him during their time at Anfield together that he has always wanted to join Barcelona or Real Madrid.

The Uruguayan's future with Liverpool has been thrown into doubt after he was handed a four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

Barcelona are expected to launch a bid for the 27-year-old, and Comolli believes that the Reds will struggle to keep hold of the striker.

"Speaking to Luis before, and during, the World Cup, he's always said he is very happy at Liverpool," Comolli told talkSPORT.

"But, during our time together at Anfield, he told me that his dream is to play in Spain at one point in his career, especially at Barcelona or Real Madrid. His wife's family live in Spain, he's in Barcelona every time he gets a couple of days off and has a house there.

"I've always thought in my mind, and I told Kenny Dalglish at the time, that, if either of the big Spanish two came in and tried to get him, Liverpool would have a hard time to try and keep him."

Reports have suggested that Suarez's apology to Chiellini for the incident has been made in an effort to push through a move to Barcelona.