Florian Wirtz is the name on everyone's lips at Liverpool right now, with FSG having taken the lead in the race to sign the Germany international, who is also being courted by Bayern Munich.
That's according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, who broke the news this evening that the Bundesliga champions are fearful of Anfield, in fact growing resigned to the fact that the 22-year-old will join Liverpool if he switches club this summer.
Manchester City had a strong interest in bringing him in, but have taken a step back given that Wirtz's employers are believed to value him in the ballpark of €150m (£126m).
Wirtz-Leverkusen
However, Spanish sources believe the Reds would need to cash in on some existing quality in order to facilitate a move, and with Barcelona hoping to sign Luis Diaz, some differing cogs might fall into place.
While Darwin Nunez is also expected to depart Anfield, Diaz, 28, has been one of Arne Slot's most important players, but should be sold this summer nonetheless.
Why Liverpool should sell Luis Diaz
Diaz joined Liverpool from FC Porto in January 2022 for a fee rising to £49m, ostensibly as Sadio Mane's successor, for the Senegalese superstar left for Bayern Munich the following summer.
He's ebbed and flowed, partly due to a crushing injury suffered during his first full season, but who can say Diaz hasn't enjoyed a special season under Slot's wing, prolific and dynamic in a Premier League-winning team?
Luis Diaz - Liverpool Career by Season (all comps)
Season
24/25
23/24
22/23
21/22
Stats via Transfermarkt
However, he's hardly irreplaceable, and entering the penultimate year of his contract besides. The Colombian has played as a left winger and a makeshift centre-forward this year, and Cody Gakpo holds down the fort on the flank and FSG are searching for a new number nine.
If Barcelona are serious about their interest and willing to pay a €80m (£68m) fee, as has been suggested in Spain, to pull Diaz from Merseyside, this would be something the club should consider, especially as they are searching for new attacking cogs.
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz
Though Wirtz is the dream, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes will be hedging his bets until the moment of truth, and indeed appears to have identified an alternative who could still prove an upgrade on Diaz, one of the Premier League's standout wingers.
Liverpool reignite interest in PL star
As per Football Insider, Liverpool are still interested in signing Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon, nearly one year on from exploring a deal for the England international as the Magpies sweated over PSR limitations.
Gordon, a boyhood Liverpool fan who was released from the academy before joining Everton aged 11, had informed his inner circle that he wanted to make the move make to Merseyside, and though he's now signed a new long-term deal at St. James' Park, would still be open to the transfer.
Anthony Gordon celebrates for Newcastle
Of course, the reality would be far more strenuous for the Reds given the 24-year-old is valued at £100m by his side, who are in a good position to qualify for the Champions League ahead of the weekend's culminating round of Premier League fixtures.
Why Anthony Gordon would be an upgrade on Diaz
Whether Liverpool would have the means to sign both Wirtz and Gordon after adding full-backs on both sides of the backline and with the ongoing need for a new striker remains to be seen. However, it's unlikely all of this would happen.
Partey-Gordon
Instead, Gordon could be signed as a contingency if things don't fall into place regarding Wirtz, and the Newcastle man has enough quality to still prove an upgrade on the high-flying Diaz.
Gordon might not have had quite the same year as the 2023/24 campaign, in which his talismanic performances helped Newcastle through injury woes, sealing an individual accolade as United's Player of the Year.
He hit 28 direct goal involvements, which is more than Diaz has ever achieved in a single campaign for Liverpool. Moreover, Gordon is four years younger than Anfield's man, thus with plenty of scope for growth.
Of course, this isn't to say he hasn't enjoyed a good year on Tyneside, scoring nine goals and adding seven assists from 32 starts across all competitions.
He also ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League this season for successful crosses made into the penalty area per 90, as per FBref, which is a weapon Liverpool could certainly do with if they are to sign a recognised focal frontman this summer.
But his most interesting tool, aside from some immense physicality and athleticism, the cornerstones of his skill set, is his fluidity, used across different attacking areas since leaving Everton for Newcastle in a £45m deal back in January 2023.
Anthony Gordon - Newcastle Career by Position
Position
Left winger
Right winger
Centre-forward
Attacking midfield
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see, Gordon's been ferried about the frontline during his time in Eddie Howe's system, though it's clear he's at his rip-roaring best when in his natural left-sided berth, with blistering speed and tricky feet allowing him to get the better of even the meanest defenders on the continent.
This is a further illustration of how he could replace Diaz, whose excellent season at Liverpool boils down to his ability to provide relief as a striker, thus allowing Gakpo to play off the wing.
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz
Gordon's price tag is further evidence that he has what it takes to become a superstar in red. Not just a potent threat, the English winger averages one tackle and 4.4 successful duels per game this season, bringing a tenacious attitude that emphasises his dynamic underlying qualities.
He's also younger now than Diaz was when he first signed for Liverpool (25 years old). While Liverpool's chiefs would be wary of spending £100m on an attacking player who failed to hit double figures in goals or assists this season, Gordon's talent is unquestionable, having described himself as a "nightmare to play against."
If a deal for Wirtz falls through, this is the one to go for.
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