Barcelona has clear Luis Diaz plan that could help Liverpool land Nico Williams transfer

Liverpool could make some changes to its front line over the summer. Luis Diaz is being linked with a move away, while Nico Williams is reportedly a transfer target — and both potential deals could hinge on Barcelona.

The Catalans are being credited with the most tangible interest in Diaz, who joined Liverpool in January 2022. It will be up to Arne Slot and the new-look recruitment team to decide if it's time to cash in on the 27-year-old, provided Barcelona ends up coming forward with an offer.

Technically back with FSG but with oversight over Liverpool, the returning Michael Edwards is helping to shape big-picture strategy, and may conclude from Diaz's age and recent output that a lucrative sale would be smart business. That money could then be invested in a younger forward like Williams.

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According to Mundo Deportivo, officials at the Nou Camp have decided upon Diaz as their preferred candidate. That could be something of a double boost to Liverpool.

That's because Barcelona has also been credited with an interest in Williams. But if it coughs up the money to try and sign Diaz — who would reportedly be available for somewhere in the region of $64m (£51m/€60m) — then the cash-strapped side will almost certainly not also be going in for the Athletic Club star.

Indeed, even Barcelona's plan with Diaz is contingent on receiving a 'very high fee' for Raphinha. With the transfer market lacking a degree of liquidity in recent windows, that might rely on an offer from Saudi Arabia.

Nonetheless, the claim from Spain is that Diaz is the 'best-placed candidate' to make the move. Could that provide the green light to go for Williams?

It's worth stressing that Liverpool does not need to sell to buy. Unlike the sale of Raphinha, cashing in on Diaz is not an 'essential condition' of any move for Williams.

But apart from seeing a key potential competitor step aside, a Barcelona move for Diaz would free up a space in the Liverpool attack. Right now, Slot has five elite forward options for three positions, and attracting a sixth to add to the competition is a pretty tough sell to would-be targets.

With Diaz gone, there would immediately be a more attractive pitch to make to Williams. There would also be another non-homegrown squad slot, which is always worth bearing in mind.

Williams, who has shone at Euro 2024 so far, has a release clause of just $59m (£46m/€55m). In theory, then, selling Diaz to Barcelona could entirely fund a move for the 21-year-old, a proposition it might be hard for Edwards to turn down.

Liverpool.com says: There's no need to force Diaz towards the exit door. There's a reason Barcelona has made him a top target, and his talent is undeniable, even if his output left something to be desired last season.

But if the big bid does materialize, it would certainly be worthy of consideration. As for Williams, he looks an exciting prospect. Provided he wouldn't break the wage structure, he could be an astute addition to a front line in need of some future-proofing.