Luis Diaz transfer twist with Barcelona “pushing hard” for €60m alternative – Liverpool FC

Luis Diaz might now be extra prone to keep as Barcelona flip their attentions to Athletic Membership winger Nico Williams – with Liverpool “reluctant to do enterprise.”

Diaz is topic of curiosity from Barcelona and golf equipment within the Saudi Professional League this summer season and his state of affairs at Liverpool has raised confusion.

Regardless of the Colombian coming into the ultimate two years of his contract it has been reported that there aren’t any plans to barter an extension – nor are their wishes to promote.

Liverpool have already rejected contact from Barcelona, insisting their No. 7 isn’t on the market, although this was interpreted in some quarters as an invite for big-money bids from the Center East.

It could be that the Spanish champions are actually out of the working, with The Athletic‘s David Ornstein reporting that they’re “pushing exhausting” to signal Williams as an alternative.

Williams, who has been linked with Liverpool previously, is on the market this summer season for €60 million (£51.2m) as a consequence of a launch clause in his contract with Athletic Membership.

Ornstein explains that whereas Diaz was “initially their most popular candidate,” Liverpool’s “reluctance to do enterprise” means Barcelona are “making an attempt to make it occur” with Williams.

Switch journalist Fabrizio Romano has even claimed on X that they’ve “determined to activate” his launch clause having been knowledgeable they’re the winger’s “complete precedence.”

Bayern Munich are additionally credited with an curiosity, but it surely has lengthy been advised {that a} transfer to the Nou Camp could be Williams’ desire.

If Williams did be part of Barcelona it could clearly rule out the pursuit of Diaz, who’s claimed to be valued at round €80 million (£68.2m).

The onus could also be on Diaz himself to push for a transfer if he so wishes, with the participant presently having fun with downtime in his native Colombia following his marriage to long-term associate Gera Ponce.

That has been the inference in latest reviews, with Barcelona needing Diaz to place strain on Liverpool in an effort to facilitate a transfer that will in any other case be out of their finances.

Clearly preserving Diaz wouldn’t be a foul factor so far as Arne Slot is worried, regardless of the approaching arrival of £116 million attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz and sights being set on a brand new centre-forward.

The 28-year-old made 50 appearances in all competitions in Slot’s first season, 38 of which have been begins, and having established himself as first alternative up entrance he clocked the seventh-most minutes of any Liverpool participant.

Whether or not the enterprise minds in Liverpool’s hierarchy would agree – with Diaz turning 29 in January subsequent 12 months and on the peak of his market worth – stays to be seen.

However there isn’t a indication selections can be made to the detriment of Slot’s plans for the squad and additional success.