In an attempt to retain Luis Diaz past the summer transfer window, Liverpool may have received a boost. Barcelona is among the teams interested in signing the Colombian international, who has been strongly linked to leaving Anfield this summer.
Earlier this month, the Reds turned down Barcelona’s offer for Diaz. With Diaz’s contract expiring in 2027, Liverpool is committed to keeping him with the team past this summer.
Barcelona has been the most frequently mentioned team on the rumor mill, but clubs from the Saudi Pro League have also been linked to signing Diaz this summer. A recent development may have an impact on Diaz’s future at Liverpool.
Florian Plettenberg, a reporter for Sky Germany, stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Barcelona is now committed to signing Nico Williams, a star for Athletic Bilbao.
According to the report, club president Joan Laporta is considering a possible move while the La Liga powerhouses wait for the “green light” to approve the transfer.
This summer, Williams has also been linked to signing deals with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich. Barcelona’s pursuit of Diaz at Liverpool is probably going to be impacted if they do end up signing Williams.
Since Williams and Diaz both play on the left wing for their respective teams, Barcelona probably wouldn’t need to sign both if they signed one.
With 17 goals in his best season wearing a Liverpool shirt, Diaz was instrumental in the team’s Premier League championship win last season. Despite international interest, the Reds have no plans to let the forward leave Anfield this summer, according to a report from the ECHO earlier this month.
The ECHO also stated that Liverpool believes the market price has been set, should interest from the Saudi Pro League turn into something more tangible, after Al-Hilal failed in a bid of about £100 million for Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, who is two years older than Diaz.