Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz and Liverpool could encounter summer transfer complication

Liverpool is in for a huge reshuffle this summer regardless of what happens in the front line. But there have been recent whispers that Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz could be sold, in a move that would mark an even cleaner break from the Jürgen Klopp era.

While Klopp is set to be replaced by Arne Slot, the decisions over the futures of Núñez and Díaz are likely to lie primarily elsewhere. A newly-formulated recruitment structure, put together by FSG head of football Michael Edwards and led by incoming sporting director Richard Hughes, will be empowered to make these big calls at Liverpool.

Given the way Edwards liked to operate when he was sporting director, you'd speculate that Díaz would be the closer to the chopping block of the two. It would be a surprise if either forward was actively for sale, but if a good offer came in for the Colombian, it may be that Liverpool considers it has probably already benefited from his peak years. Núñez, meanwhile, remains a bundle of potential.

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But a huge amount would need to happen before either were sold. And that's where there could be a complication in this summer's transfer market.

The Premier League will open its transfer window on June 14. But just six days later, the Copa América will be kicking off — Núñez and Díaz are both expected to play prominent roles at the tournament.

Liverpool typically likes to get transfer business done early — and indeed signed South American midfielder Alexis Mac Allister at the earliest opportunity last season — but could be hampered by the dates of the Copa América. Unless a deal is signed, sealed and ready to go before the window opens, there is likely to be a significant delay for any moves (incoming or outgoing) involving those who are away at the tournament.

Players can still be bought and sold while away with their countries, but many prefer to remain entirely focused. Then there are the logistics of trying to negotiate and ultimately complete a medical.

In the cases of Núñez and Díaz, both could well have long runs in the tournament, which does not conclude until July 14. Both the Copa América and the Liverpool pre-season camp are being held in the US, but you'd assume that the players would be afforded a break after their run in the competition ends, causing further delays.

Even without any transfer implications, this will be an inconvenience for Slot. But if either of the pair are to be sold, it significantly shortens the realistic window for doing a deal.

The Premier League shuts the transfer window on August 30, while the season gets underway a couple of weeks earlier. Liverpool would only sanction a deal if it had sufficient time to source a sensible replacement, so would surely want to treat the start of the campaign as a kind of soft cut-off point.

It doesn't preclude a sale. But with so many factors weighing in favor of keeping both Núñez and Díaz, this is just another element to consider.

Liverpool.com says: The likeliest outcome remains that Núñez and Díaz both stay put. If nothing else, it's hard to imagine any club getting to the sort of valuation that would tempt Liverpool.

But regardless of any sale implications, Liverpool will need to be aware of the Copa América when it comes to inbound signings. The club regularly signs South Americans, and will need to be ready to deal with the potential complications arising from the tournament. While closer and therefore more manageable, the Euros will also need to be considered.