Barcelona make approach to sign Luis Diaz, Liverpool respond
Liverpool will not want to stand still in the transfer market this summer as they look to prepare a bid to retain their Premier League crown.
The Reds ultimately raced to the league title in unexpectedly comfortable fashion, but that will surely mean that the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal will be working hard to ensure that gap is closed ahead of the start of the next campaign.
However, as important as it will be for Arne Slot to add to his ranks this summer with world-class talents like Florian Wirtz, the Dutchman will also be keen to ensure he doesn’t lose any more of his key players.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has already departed the club to take up an offer from Real Madrid, and Luis Diaz has also been the subject of heavy interest from Barcelona.
Liverpool have rejected Barcelona’s approach to sign Diaz
Diaz has been at the centre of plenty of speculation in recent weeks, with Barcelona understood to be lining up a move for the Colombian star, who also has admirers in Saudi Arabia.
The 28-year-old’s Anfield contract is due to expire at the end of next season, but Liverpool are said to be “baffled” by the suggestions that they may be about to sell the attacker this summer.
The Reds have now also rejected an official approach from Barcelona to open discussions about a potential deal, according to The Athletic (5 June).
Their report outlines that, although a contract renewal is thought to be unlikely at this stage, Slot has no desire to lose a player who he sees as part of his plans for the 2025/25 campaign.
Liverpool’s current stance is that they will look to make the most of Diaz’s immediate value through the level of performance that he can provide. However, that may change if they receive significant bids that would provide them with the funds to replace him with a player of similar quality.
Diaz is worth more to Liverpool than their expected financial gain
The interest in Diaz must be a tempting proposition for Liverpool, given their current big-money pursuit of Wirtz. While the sale of Diaz would recoup some of the cash that they seem set to splash out on the German, there is arguably more value in keeping him around for next season.
He enjoyed another impressive campaign in L4, notching 17 goals and five assists in all competitions, and he is a player who will seemingly still have a big part to play next season, regardless of who comes into the club.
As a result, with Diaz’s current situation meaning he is unlikely to draw in a substantial amount of money for Liverpool, it surely makes sense for the Reds to keep him at the club.
At 28, and with one year remaining on his contract, it seems highly unlikely that any club will table a bid that make it worthwhile for Liverpool to alter their stance. The only logical possibility of that happening is if the interest from Saudi Arabia materialises.
The Reds could be risking a similar situation to the one they experienced with Alexander-Arnold if they don’t sell Diaz, but sometimes a player’s performances can be worth more than any potential sum.