Desperate Liverpool put Barcelona target up for sale

Stuart Telford

• 25 Jun 2023 16:17 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona have been linked with a move for Fabricio Diaz, the nascent midfielder who plays for Liverpool in Uruguay, and now the club's president has effectively invited the Blaugrana to make a bid.

While Barca have already signed Ilay Gundogan from Manchester City this summer, they are looking for further reinforcements in midfield with Sergio Busquets leaving for David Beckham's Inter Miami at the end of his contract.

Diaz recently captained Uruguay to FIFA U-20 World Cup glory in Argentina, and he is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in world football, which makes Liverpool's asking price something of a surprise.

READ: Barca transfer spree 'has only just begun'

Great value

"The two of them [Diaz and his Liverpool teammate Luciano Rodriguez] will likely be transferred this summer," Liverpool's president told Tenfield's Daniel Branchero. "We want €8 million for Fabricio Diaz and €15m for Luciano Rodriquez. In both cases we are looking for a sell-on clause."

Rodriguez also won the U-20 World Cup this summer, but it is Diaz's asking price that will raise eyebrows. The midfielder has scored 10 goals in 32 outings with Uruguay's under-20 team and already has 117 appearances with his club at senior level.

READ: Barcelona's debt THE SAME as when Messi left the club

Whether Barca can afford even that amount remains to be seen. The club have been told to reduce their debt by €200m if they want to take part in La Liga next season, and although €8m isn't an inordinate amount of money, it would eat into their budget to sign Brazilian prodigy Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense.

Barca's debt also reportedly still stands at €1.35 billion - the same as when they lost Lionel Messi on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain two seasons ago - although it has been restructured, hence they can even consider making signings this summer.