‘Luis Diaz could push to leave Liverpool in transfer U-turn’
Liverpool are only likely to sell Luis Diaz this summer if the winger makes it clear that he wants to leave Anfield, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Diaz’s contractual situation on Merseyside.
Diaz is one of several Reds forwards with an uncertain future at Anfield and Liverpool are said to be “baffled” by the speculation which has grown around the Colombian, with Barcelona one club interested.
Football Insider revealed on Friday (6 June) that while Liverpool have reduced Diaz’s asking price from £85million to roughly £70m, Barca could still miss out on his signature to a club in the Saudi Pro League.
Now, sources have told Football Insider that Liverpool remain hopeful Diaz will stay put this summer and have opened new contract talks, with Diaz only liked to be sold if he pushes for a transfer himself.
With Liverpool intent on keeping their number seven beyond this summer, Football Insider sources have said that Diaz could “have his head turned” by Saudi clubs as Al-Nassr weigh up a £71m transfer offer.
Diaz ‘content’ at Liverpool despite transfer speculation
Football Insider revealed on 23 May that Liverpool will be open to selling Diaz if the right offer arrives this summer, but the 28-year-old’s sizeable price tag could still prove to be too much for most clubs.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said that Liverpool aren’t actively aiming to sell Diaz and could instead agree a new contract with their number seven, who is also content to remain at Anfield.
“They are having contract talks with him right now and they’re ongoing, but maybe the only way that Luis Diaz leaves this summer is if he pushes for a move”, he told Football Insider.
“I don’t think Liverpool will be actively pushing him out the door, they’ll want to keep him.
“If the player maybe has his head turned by a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League or elsewhere, then potentially something could open up.
“But I just think right now, Liverpool have no plans to sell Diaz, and I think the player himself is quite content at Anfield as well.”
Liverpool line up exits amid Diaz contract offer
Diaz being offered a new contract at Anfield is a big indicator of Arne Slot’s plans for next season, with Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota far likelier to be sold this summer as Liverpool refresh their frontline.
Football Insider revealed on 6 June that Nunez is expected to leave Liverpool in this transfer window with Atletico Madrid and Saudi Pro League clubs interested, though the Reds are yet to receive a formal offer.
With Jeremie Frimpong already through the doors and Florian Wirtz also likely to be on his way to Anfield for a club-record fee, Diaz still has a part to play for Slot as Liverpool look to build on their Premier League success.