MONTEVIDEO — Luis Suarez faced further criticism on Monday night after issuing a belated apology for biting Giorgio Chiellini and promising never to be involved in such an incident again — just as Barcelona stepped up their bid to sign him.

Four days after receiving a four-month ban from the game and telling Fifa that the clash during Uruguay’s World Cup match against Italy in Natal was an accident in which he “lost balance”, the Liverpool striker made a complete U-turn and admitted he deeply regretted his actions. But the apology has led to widespread cynicism in the week that the 27-year-old was linked with an £80 million move to the Nou Camp.

Gary Lineker, the former Barcelona striker, claimed the Catalan giants had insisted that Suarez say sorry if any potential transfer is to go through.

In the statement issued on Twitter, Suarez said: “After several days of being home with my family, I have had the opportunity to regain my calm and reflect about the reality of what occurred during the Italy-Uruguay match on 24 June 2014.

“Independent from the fallout and the contradicting declarations that have surfaced during these past days, all of which have been without the intention of interfering with the good performance of my national team, the truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me.

“For this: I deeply regret what occurred. I apologise to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident like this.”

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Juventus defender Chiellini retweeted Suarez’s apology on his own site, having previously said the four-month ban issued to Suarez should not have been so severe.

Chiellini also replied to the Tweet directly, saying: “It’s all forgotten. I hope Fifa will reduce your suspension.”

He had previously said: “At the moment my only thought is for Luis and his family, because they will face a very difficult period.

“I have always considered unequivocal the disciplinary interventions by the competent bodies, but at the same time I believe that the proposed formula is excessive. I sincerely hope that he will be allowed, at least, to stay close to his team mates during the games because such a ban is really alienating for a player”

Although Barcelona have not yet submitted a formal bid, Liverpool are expecting contact soon, and, as Tottenham did when selling Gareth Bale to Real Madrid last summer, will hope to bring in new recruits before agreeing any deal.

Brendan Rodgers was set to complete the £25 million signing of Southampton’s Adam Lallana yesterday and is close to agreeing a £9,8m move for Belgian striker Divock Origi, while Benfica’s Lazar Markovic is also a target.

— Daily Mail