A number of Liverpool players continue to be linked with moves away this summer ahead of the club's first friendly of the summer
Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez during Girona 0-1 Liverpool in the Champions League.
Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez during Girona 0-1 Liverpool in the Champions League.
(Image: Sergio Ruiz / Pressinphoto / Icon Sport)
It has only been 10 days since Liverpool completed their most recent transfer, selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen on July 2. But that now feels like an age ago.
The Reds' summer business has, understandably, taken very much a back seat following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota only hours after Quansah's Anfield exit was announced.
But with Liverpool set to return to action for the first time since the tragic loss of Jota when they travel to Preston North End on Sunday (July 13), transfer questions will start to arise again. The futures of a number of members in Arne Slot’s squad remain the subject of speculation.
The transfer deadline is not until September 1, while it is now just under five weeks until Liverpool’s Premier League campaign gets underway. Despite this understandable pause on business, they are not in a race against the clock.
But there could well be a number of players in action at Preston who will not be Reds players come the start of September.
Luis Diaz is arguably the subject of the most intense speculation, despite Liverpool’s insistence he is not for sale. The Reds have already rejected approaches from Barcelona and Bayern Munich for the Colombian this summer, but he continues to be linked with a move away.
Recent reports in Germany claim that Fiaz, who scored 17 goals for the Premier League champions season, is keen on a move to Bayern, while it has also been suggested they have made an official bid.
However, Liverpool have remained adamant that the 28-year-old is not for sale.
With two years left on his current deal, the Reds are relaxed about Diaz's situation, although he s keen to discuss an improvement on his current terms.
The forward has spoken a number of times about his future in recent weeks. “We don’t know yet,” Diaz told Win Sports when asked where his future lies. “Nothing, nothing (to say).
“We’re there talking with the management, we’re calm where I am. So nothing, we’re talking about matters.”
Darwin Nunez has also been heavily tipped to depart with Napoli interested in his services.
Nunez allegedly confirmed his desire to join the Serie A outfit to compatriot Walter Gargano last month, having played with the former Napoli midfielder at Uruguayan side Penarol.
"Nunez? The warmth of the Neapolitans would do him a lot of good,” Gargano said on radio channel Kiss Kiss Napoli. “I spoke to him about a week ago and I hope he really comes to Naples.
"I told him; 'Go to Naples!'. He and his family will decide what to do with his future. He told me; 'Yes, I'll come to Naples right away. I'm waiting to close with Naples'."
However, the latest reports from Italy claim Napoli might lessen their interest in the Uruguayan striker due to the financial costs of any deal.
Elsewhere, Ibrahima Konate is now within the final 12 months of his contract and will be free to discuss pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs in January. He is reportedly of interest to Real Madrid, with reports in Spain claiming Liverpool could sell the France international if he refuses to sign an extension.
Federico Chiesa has previously talked up the possibility of returning to Serie A after finding himself on the fringes at Anfield during his first season at the club. Talk regarding his future has, perhaps understandably, gone quiet in recent weeks, but it remains uncertain whether he will stay at Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott also continues to be linked with a move away and is reportedly attracting plenty of interest after also finding his game-time limited last season.
Ahead of the European Under-21 Championships, Elliott admitted he did not want ‘to be wasting years on my career’. The midfielder will not be in action against Preston as he is yet to return to training following his international exploits.
There is also likely to be an outgoing left-back this summer following the £40m signing of Milos Kerkez. Andy Robertson had been of interest to Atletico Madrid prior to the start of pre-season, but a departure for Kostas Tsimikas might instead be more likely.
Elsewhere, the likes of Ben Doak and Tyler Morton also have their suitors and could be on the move.
While Liverpool look set to focus predominantly on outgoing deals in the remainder of the transfer window, further incoming deals can also not be ruled out, with reinforcements at attack and at centre-back both a possibility following the club's £200m spending spree to date.
The futures of the club's players will be handled carefully and sensitively following the loss of Jota as the Reds squad grieves for its team-mate.
But sooner rather than later, the futures of the aforementioned stars will be resolved one way or the other, while Liverpool continue to weigh up any further incoming business.