Liverpool ‘plan to sell Luis Diaz and sign world-class replacement’
Liverpool are planning to sell Luiz Diaz in an attempt to raise funds for reinvestment into the squad amid growing interest.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the Reds are planning to reshape their front line in the summer.
Arne Slot wants to add another “world-class” attacker to his side regardless of whether or not Mohamed Salah leaves, but will need to let somebody leave to free up space.
Diaz, 28, has been considered a sellable asset for Liverpool since last summer when Football Insider revealed that they would consider offers upwards of £50million for his signature.
He has made 35 appearances across all competitions this season, 26 of which came from the start, scoring 13 goals and providing three assists in that time.
However, Liverpool are keen to add an out-and-out striker to their squad in the summer and could use the Colombian’s departure to facilitate a move.
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Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the sale of Diaz could allow them to be more ambitious with their incoming transfers.
“Liverpool are in a similar position to where Man United used to be,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ve got a very good side, they’re challenging for trophies, but there’s always the question of how they can get better and improve their team.
“It’s not an easy task because the pot of players you’re looking at becomes smaller.
“At the moment, do they know what their best team is? I would argue not.
“Salah is always out on the right, that’s a given, but then you’ve got Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz rotating between playing as a striker or on the left.
“That’s a position, especially through the middle, that they’re going to be looking to improve.
“They’ll want a real world-class striker to play through the middle with that quality then around him.
“In that case, I think Diaz is a player they could look to move on, because the addition of another attacking player means his role could be reduced.
“I’m told there has been interest in him from a few clubs, so if offers come in, I think Liverpool will be prepared to let him go.
“They can then use that money to put towards the signing of the new player who Slot wants.“
Arne Slot makes Diogo Jota exit decision at Anfield
As well as the speculation surrounding Diaz’s future, Diogo Jota has also been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield in the summer transfer window.
The 28-year-old is a top target for a number of Saudi Pro League clubs, while Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in the Liverpool forward.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 19 February that Jota is no longer a part of Slot’s long-term plans and will be allowed to leave if a reasonable offer arrives.
Any attacking departures are expected to be replaced in the transfer market as Liverpool are keen to strengthen their squad off the back of an impressive season-so-far.
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