Liverpool make bold Diaz decision amid Salah exit rumours

Cameron Smith

• 1 Mar 2024 19:25 GMT
• 5 min read

Liverpool are reportedly willing to listen to transfer offers for Luis Diaz as they look to tie Mohamed Salah down to a new contract.

Salah, 31, has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and most notably the Saudi Pro League as he continues to edge towards the end of his current Liverpool deal.

The Egypt international has just over a year left on his existing contract at Anfield, and has been named as Saudi Arabia’s priority transfer target ahead of the summer window as the richest league in football plans for another spending spree.

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FootballTransfers understands that Salah is leaning towards signing an extension at Liverpool, but he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

However, if Salah does sign a new contract then it could spell the end of Diaz’s career at Anfield, according to The Sun.

It has been reported that several Spanish clubs are eyeing a move for the Colombian, with Liverpool willing to entertain offers if they are able to tie Salah down to fresh terms.

The current attacking depth available at Anfield has been cited as a possible reason why Liverpool would be open to selling Diaz this summer, although the Reds are unlikely to make a decision regarding his future until a new manager is appointed.

Jurgen Klopp will leave his post as head coach at the end of the 2023-24 season and Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso is currently the favourite to replace him at Anfield.

If Liverpool do allow Diaz to leave this summer, it could open the door for Barcelona to sign their perfect left winger.

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Luis Diaz to Barcelona?

As mentioned by The Sun, several Spanish clubs are interested in Diaz and Barcelona would feasibly be a potential destination for the 27-year-old.

Xavi has regularly used a central midfielder at left wing during his tenure at Camp Nou, in order to create a box midfield in possession, but his imminent departure this summer could see the Blaugrana revert away from this style and utilise a more traditional winger.

If that is the case, then Diaz fits the profile perfectly.

At Liverpool, he isn’t a guaranteed starter given the presence of Diogo Jota and Alonso’s possible arrival could see the Reds move to a back three, which may impact Diaz’s playing time even more.

For Barcelona, however, he could become a key player.

Data analytics experts SciSports even rank the Blaugrana as the club who suit Diaz the best in world football.

Barcelona have a ‘Club Fit’ score of 86, which is higher than any other team in the world. For reference, Liverpool have a ‘Club Fit’ score of 73, suggesting a move to Camp Nou would be a sensible idea for Diaz.

After an average start to the season, Diaz has scored three goals and provided two assists in his last five Premier League matches and he is beginning to look like the player he was before his unfortunate knee injury in 2022.

The Spanish giants may not be able to fund a move for the Colombian, given his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €42 million, but if they are able to sign Diaz, he would be a brilliant addition.