‘Liverpool set for Luis Diaz boost amid major Barcelona development’
Liverpool may have been handed a boost in their hopes of keeping Luis Diaz thanks to Barcelona’s latest transfer activity.
After scoring 17 goals and creating five assists last season, Diaz has attracted interest from Barcelona, who are keen to further strengthen their squad after winning both La Liga and the Copa Del Rey.
Meanwhile, Arne Slot has already overseen important business this summer, as the Anfield club signed Jeremie Frimpong following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit to Real Madrid.
Similarly to Barcelona, the Reds are looking to bolster their ranks after winning the top-flight title, and Liverpool are closing in on Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool set to retain Diaz as Barcelona close in on Nico Williams
Barcelona’s interest in Diaz demonstrates that Hansi Flick is keen to sign a new winger ahead of vying to retain his side’s La Liga title.
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Barcelona correspondent, Pol Ballus, revealed via X on Thursday, 19 June: “Verbal agreement in place Barça-Nico Williams. The winger made Barça his priority, and the club came back for him.
“At Athletic, clear feeling he is leaving. Barça working on freeing up salary space to register him. Paying the release clause not seen as (a) huge problem.”
Now that Barcelona are set to sign the Athletic Bilbao star, Liverpool should no longer be worried about the prospect of losing Diaz to the Catalonian giants this summer.
Meanwhile, it could be argued that Williams is a more sensible signing for Flick’s men than Diaz, as he has already established a strong relationship with Lamine Yamal courtesy of the duo’s exploits with the Spain national team.
Slot should be delighted that Diaz is set to stay at Anfield
Slot admirably defied expectations by winning the Premier League title in his first season in charge of Liverpool, while predecessor Jurgen Klopp was a tough act to follow.
Diaz was a particularly strong asset for the Dutchman in the top flight last term, notching 13 goals and five assists in 36 league appearances.
Furthermore, the Colombia international played as both a winger and a striker last season, proving both his versatility and his determination to enjoy further success with Liverpool.
The Reds will hope that Diaz will not have to operate as a striker as much next season, as Slot appears set to turn his attention to signing a centre forward if Liverpool sell Darwin Nunez.
Slot has already proven his appetite to bolster his front line, as Wirtz’s signature draws ever closer to Anfield, but the acquisition of a ‘number nine’ could be the final piece in the jigsaw.
Meanwhile, Ben Doak has been tipped for an extraordinary move to Everton in a Liverpool News 247 exclusive.