“These buy-out clauses have caused

“These buy-out clauses have caused no end of problems in the past and they continue to do so because of the way they were drafted at the time,” he said.

“He believes the £40m amount that is mentioned, if that is offered that gives him the right to go.

"Liverpool, from their side, are saying that is a minimum figure from which they will consider negotiation and of course they will want to keep the player, unless they replace the player with someone as good or better, which is not going to be easy in a short period of time.

"We have raised this issue with the Premier League, that buy-out clauses should have a great deal more clarity because I’ve never seen one yet that hasn’t caused trouble.

"It’s also down to discussions Luis had with the manager as well and of course you have the owners involved.

“There are different ways it can be interpreted. If it goes to the Premier League it will take time and the window is then closed. It is a delicate situation and we are trying to help.

“We have been asked to try and help to sort the situation out and we have been trying to do that.

"The lad has had a chequered past but he is also an extremely good footballer and this is about a situation on the interpretation of a contract.

"You want contracts to be straightforward and clear and on this issue it is not clear. It is open to different interpretation by lawyers so, at the end of the day, it is about if an agreement can be reached."