Liverpool receives welcome transfer news as Barcelona set for Luis Díaz ultimatum

Liverpool is being linked with numerous players this summer, mostly defenders. Current players are likely to leave too, although there have been fewer stories on that front.

The likes of Leny Yoro and Waldemar Anton are reportedly on the Reds’ radar for incomings, while Thiago Alcântara and Joël Matip have already left Anfield. Beyond that pair, who were out of contract, the name most strongly linked with an exit is Luis Díaz.

The Colombian international has been connected with a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain or Barcelona in recent months. New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot may be pleased to learn that the latter might have cooled its interest.

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If Richard Hughes was looking to raise funds to rebuild the squad towards Slot’s requirements, Díaz is arguably the most sellable asset he could call upon. With a market value of $80.5m (£63.4m/€75m), the former Porto man is the Reds’ joint-most valuable player in the opinion of Transfermarkt.

However, unlike Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, with whom he is tied, Díaz hasn’t joined the club within the last year. He will surely join his next team before either of the recent midfield acquisitions take the next step in their respective careers.

Díaz’ father has recently stated that the 27-year-old is a “loyal Barcelona fan and it would be his dream to go there.” The Catalan club is said to be considering a move for the Liverpool man, but is also potentially interested in Dani Olmo and Nico Williams, two players with whom the Reds have also been linked.

Barcelona’s financial problems are well documented though, and it is not clear if it would be able to raise the funds required to sign players of this stature. It has been reported by Football Espana that there could be a cheaper option at hand. Barca has apparently been offered Real Betis winger Assane Diao for just $16.1m (£12.7m/€15m).

The 18-year-old is statistically most similar to Karim Adeyemi, per FBRef, with Brighton’s Simon Adingra another player whom data suggests is a good match. Diao has only just completed his first season of senior football, scoring twice in 18 La Liga appearances for Betis. He would be more of a gamble than Barcelona’s other supposed transfer targets but he also appears to be more within its current price range.

Liverpool.com says: While Slot's opinion of Díaz is not yet known, the Dutchman has made strong use of wingers in his managerial career to this point. As such, he is hugely unlikely to cast the Colombian aside, so Barcelona looking elsewhere would surely be welcomed.