Liverpool “want to keep” hold of Luis Diaz beyond the summer transfer window, according to an update from journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Reds will be focusing on new signings this summer, with Arne Slot looking to make an immediate impact in the market, but they also need to retain the services of key players.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are all out of contract at the end of next season, and none have signed extensions yet, which is a slight concern.
There have been rumours surrounding the futures of Salah and Luis Diaz, with Saudi Pro League clubs potentially coming in for the former, and a move to Barcelona mooted for the latter.
Speaking to Caught Offside, Jacobs claimed that Liverpool are planning to keep Diaz at Anfield, still seeing him as an important player moving forward:
“Liverpool want to keep Luis Diaz. It’s really as simple as that. Diaz is contracted until 2027 and there are no plans to sell him this summer despite ongoing links with Barcelona.
“Diaz would like to play in Spain one day, as his father has hinted at in public in recent months, but that’s more a long-term goal. He has given no indication he wants to leave Liverpool now, nor can Barcelona afford him without significant outgoings first due to Financial Fair Play issues.”
Our thoughts on Diaz’s Liverpool future…
Keeping Diaz at Liverpool is still the preferable option this summer, even though the 27-year-old has come in for some criticism this season.
That’s mainly because of some inconsistent end product, with the Colombia international a player with bag of energy and trickery, but not always delivering the final pass or finish.
Diaz did still score 13 goals in all competitions in 2023/24, however, as well as registering five assists in the Premier League, so he produced plenty of quality.
As Jacobs alludes to, it would be a surprise if the Liverpool star didn’t end up in Spain one day, with moves to Barca and Real Madrid appealing to so many South American footballers, but at least another season at Anfield is to be expected.
If Diaz wants to be remembered as a true Reds great, though, he needs to find another level in the final third, hitting Sadio Mane-esque numbers in the process.
