Liverpool star REJECTS Barcelona to complete SHOCK transfer

Cameron Smith

15 Sept 2023 13:09 BST
4 min read

Liverpool Montevideo star Fabricio Diaz has accepted a move to Al Gharafa, despite interest from Barcelona and Brighton, and will complete his transfer to Qatar in the coming hours.

Article continues under the video

Diaz, 20, has been heavily linked with an exit for the duration of the summer, but a move to Brighton failed to materialise before Transfer Deadline Day and he is now on the verge of moving to Qatar.

The promising Uruguayan has previously been linked with a move to Barcelona, with the Blaugrana identifying him as the ideal long-term Sergio Busquets replacement.

Earlier this year, Barcelona were heavily interested in Diaz, as per Sport, and his rumoured €6 million asking price was not seen as an issue.

In fact, Al Gharafa are set to pay just €5.6m for the midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano, which is far lower than his €9m Expected Transfer value (ETV).

The Blaugrana eventually signed more experienced names, bringing in Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer from Manchester City and Oriol Romeu for €3.4m from Girona.

However, Diaz was still very close to a move to Europe as Brighton almost completed a move for the talented midfielder.

In August, Uruguayan outlet El Pais reported that: “Fabricio Díaz could be ‘living his last days’ as a Liverpool Montevideo player as he’s now closing in on a move to Brighton, who ‘arrived strongly’ in recent hours.”

This was backed up by VTV Uruguay, who revealed that Diaz had confirmed his move away from Liverpool is “very advanced.”

But, the 20-year-old did not join Brighton, with the Seagulls signing Lille’s Carlos Baleba instead, and he is now set to join Qatari side Al Gharafa.

Diaz to leave Liverpool

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported on Twitter that: “Fabrício Díaz completes his move to Al Gharafa today — agreement set to be sealed for $6m (€5.6m), he’ll land in Qatar in the next hours. 2003 born highly rated midfielder has accepted the transfer despite links with Brighton and Barcelona.”

Diaz was one of the stars of the U20 World Cup earlier this year and he captained Uruguay to victory in the tournament. He has also captained Liverpool on five occasions in 2023.

Despite his youthful age, Diaz has made 122 senior appearances for Liverpool Montevideo, scoring five goals and providing seven assists. However, he appears to have played his last game for the club.