As Barcelona advance in their bid to sign Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams this summer, the chances of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz moving to LaLiga dwindle considerably.
Earlier in June, The Athletic's David Ornstein revealed La Blaugrana had seen a formal approach for the Colombian rebuffed, with FSG unequivocal in their response: Diaz is not for sale this summer.
While transfer stances are pliable things, it does seem silly to let Diaz leave for anything less than a mammoth fee. Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon has been touted as a potential successor, but would the Three Lions star truly represent an upgrade, especially as he would cost up to £100m?
Other Diaz
Coming off the back of his most productive campaign for Liverpool, and a title-winning term at that, the 28-year-old Diaz has also aroused the attention of Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, who would be more inclined to meet Anfield's £70m valuation of the star.
If he does leave, Cody Gakpo at least provides Arne Slot with an existing presence on the left wing. Moreover, Florian Wirtz is Anfield-bound, and he's more than capable of playing off the wide strip.
The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool
Liverpool have pulled a blinder in securing Wirtz's signature. The deal, which could rise to a British-record £116m fee, has been agreed, but not yet finalised, with a medical slated for Friday.
Wirtz-stats-24-25
Despite concrete interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich, Liverpool have entered the final stages of a record transfer that should seal their position at the highest rung of a ladder which dangles over the scope of European football.
Typically placed as a central attacking midfielder, the German international ranked among the top 4% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues last season for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
He'd raise the level of any forward he plays with, and while Diaz would go from strength to strength alongside Wirtz next season, should he leave, there's another who may benefit from the Leverkusen superstar's prowess.
Liverpool make approach for new forward
As per esteemed French outlet L'Equipe, Liverpool have entered the race for winger Malick Fofana, though Chelsea are leading the race, having already established direct contacts with Lyon for the 20-year-old.
However, Liverpool have now held talks with the representatives of Malick Fofana too, though they have joined a battle consisting of Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
Lyon's Malick Fofana
Fofana's fast ascent to prominence in Ligue 1 has caught the eye of several Premier League heavy hitters, and while he's been priced at €50m (£43m), this stands far lower than what FSG would have to fork out for someone like Newcastle's Gordon.
What Malick Fofana would bring to Liverpool
Belgian prospect Fofana may still be in the fledgling phase of a promising career, but he's already proved he has the clean finishing and robust motions of a player capable of succeeding in the Premier League.
malick-fofana-lyon
Joining Lyon from KAA Gent in January 2024, Fofana scored three times in the French top flight before the end of the 2023/24 term, only starting four matches.
Last season, though, he reached new levels while starting the year as a teenager, posting 11 goals and six assists across 41 matches.
In the French first division, he certainly demonstrated his aptitude, scoring five goals and assisting four more despite only starting 16 times. With only four big chances missed and six big chances created himself, there's a lot to like, with the speedy star almost economical in his play, making smart choices.
malick-fofana
As per FBref, he actually ranked among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues in 2024/25 for non-penalty goals scored, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 14% for touches in the attacking box per 90.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent's goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
As is probably clear, he's a naturally potent threat, looking to drive up the pitch and into the penalty area with fleet feet before striking on goal. Fofana has been described as a "game-changer" by journalist Antonio Mango, and it's clear to see why.
The wideman's performances, interestingly, have seen FBref draw up Gordon as one of his most comparable players, and so for a portion of the fee, surely this would be the track to head down for Liverpool?
He might be unrefined, but Gakpo resides in the Merseyside squad and, more to the point, Wirtz will soon be settled into the way of life at Liverpool, thus providing an electric talent such as Fofana with an elite supply line to direct toward the end of his darting runs.
For a Liverpool side whose creativity levels already rank as the best that the Premier League has seen in recent years, this is a tantalising thought that will become an exciting reality for the Reds faithful.
Premier League - Most Big Chances Created
Season
24/25
23/24
22/23
21/22
20/21
Data via Premier League
Across the past four Bundesliga campaigns, Wirtz has averaged 2.4 key passes or higher per game three times, which is an incredible achievement and a clear depiction of the magic of Liverpool's new addition.
His genius ball-playing and -carrying skills would be the perfect fit for any player worth their salt, but for Fofana, a raw talent with blistering pace and an already established prolific sense, Liverpool truly could be the perfect stomping ground for him to take the next step in his development, especially as the aforementioned Gakpo will ease any sense of being overburdened.
If Liverpool sell Diaz and replace him with Fofana, they will be turning a profit while providing Wirtz with a forward to direct his playmaking skills toward for many years to come. What's not to like?
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