Luis Diaz had his best season in a Liverpool shirt last year after Arne Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp, scoring 17 times in all competitions en route to winning the Premier League. But since then, he has been persistently linked with a move away.
The Colombian spoke this week about his future. "We’re there, negotiating," Diaz told the influencer Mauricio Gomez. "We’ll see what can be achieved, for us and for the club. We’ll try to do our best and make the best decision.
"We’re in the process of negotiations, talking with the club, with Liverpool, with everyone who’s approaching us. But I’m very calm where I am, you know, very happy. Trying to make the best decision now."
Earlier in the summer, Liverpool rejected advances from both Bayern Munich and Barcelona. But both clubs have been turn down by other targets since then.
Nico Williams, for instance, signing a new contract with Athletic Club. And the rumblings are that both remain keen on Diaz as a result.
The former FC Porto star has two years left to run on his contract at Anfield, and the suggestion is that no extension is imminent. But given Bayern Munich has set a spending limit of $69 million (£51 million) for his services, according to BILD, Liverpool's stance isn't likely to change on that front.
In the recent past, his father has spoken about Barcelona and hardly played down speculation that his son would like to move to the Camp Nou side — even if it seems unlikely that the Catalans would be able to put together the required financial package.
Luis Diaz continues to be linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer
Luis Diaz continues to be linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer (Image: Getty Images)
"The truth is that I know very little about Barcelona at the moment," Diaz's dad told Win Sports last month. "But it is true that Luis is a loyal Barcelona fan and it would be his dream to go there.
"So far I would like to thank Porto and Liverpool for the way they welcomed him and received him. Luis is a player who finds it easy to win over because of the way he is.
"[He has] humility, his work, his dedication, he is a very disciplined player, thank God. There would be no problem if Luis came to Barcelona because it is a top team and one of the best in the world."
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The links with Diaz are not going anywhere, with Bayern Munich speculation seemingly the hottest right now. According to his father, though, it appears that Barcelona would be the dream move.
In either case, however, it would take a huge offer to force Liverpool's hand. And right now, the Reds clearly hold all of the cards.
Liverpool.com says: If the price was high enough, then Liverpool would probably have to think about cashing in on Diaz. At 28, a crazy bid would be worth thinking about.
From the reporting in Germany and Spain at the moment, though, it doesn't seem likely that either Bayern Munich nor Barcelona would be able to put together something that tempting.
Given how expensive it would be to sign a replacement for Diaz, keeping him would seem the most likely option. Anthony Elanga, for instance, is about to move for a fee of around $75 million (£55 million), and he is nowhere near as good.