Liverpool are in an enviable position right now: they've won the Premier League, and dominantly at that, having avoided heavy transfer expenditure over the past three windows.
Now, the Reds are looking to make sweeping changes to Arne Slot's team, fattening it up with new recruits who could play an instrumental role in retaining the title and challenging for more over the coming years.
However, some outgoings are to be expected too. Trent Alexander-Arnold has already packed up and left, while Darwin Nunez is expected to leave on a permanent deal.
Arne Slot celebrates Liverpool's Premier League triumph
GIVEMESPORT have revealed that Luis Diaz, 28, is also open to leaving Liverpool this summer, with the £72m-rated Colombian being chased by Saudi suitors and Barcelona, who have a long-standing interest but are uncertain on the figures attached.
Diaz has been an incredible servant for Liverpool over these past several years, but he's not inexpendable, especially if that £72m price tag is met by Saudi suitors.
Luis Diaz - Liverpool Career by Season (all comps)
Season
24/25
23/24
22/23
21/22
Stats via Transfermarkt
For sure, if Liverpool manage to get a deal for Florian Wirtz over the line, any ruefulness from the sale will be smoothly offset.
The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool
Liverpool's pursuit of Wirtz is trudging forward, and while those in the know have reiterated that all parties expect a deal to be completed, fans' fears will not be placated until the official announcement is made.
Wirtz-Liverpool-Dream-Lineup
Where Wirtz could feature for Liverpool
The Athletic's David Ornstein confirmed on Tuesday morning that Liverpool's second offer, worth about€130m (£109m), has failed to bridge the gap at the negotiating table, with Leverkusen still holding out for a British-record €150m (£126m) fee.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world, would be an incredible addition to a Liverpool side in transition, yes, but also buoyed by the incredible feat of winning the Premier League off Manchester City this year.
With Trent swapping red for white this summer, securing a new playmaker-in-chief was always going to be crucial, and falling at this stage of the one-horse race would provide the most bitter of pills.
If Slot is to take this squad and fashion something even greater from it, FSG will need to continue to back him, and in fairness, they appear to be doing exactly that, with talks being held for one of Italian football's most talented wingers.
Liverpool line up new winger
According to Tutto Mercato Web, Liverpool have entered the race for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, and fans will be interested to note that Bayern Munich are the Reds' main competitors.
The report continues to claim Liverpool chiefs have this week made official contact with Milan for the transfer of the 25-year-old.
That said, they face competition not only from European giants Bayern Munich, but also from Saudi Arabia's big three, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr.
Milan endured a torrid season, finishing eighth in Serie A and thus missing out on European competition, so their bargaining power in retaining an elite winger like Leao has been diminished.
Rafael Leao goal tallies (timeless)
Though Leao's employers have made feeble demands that their player will cost suitors €130m (£110m), this is clearly an exorbitant sum, and Liverpool will be confident they can negotiate something more agreeable.
Why Liverpool want Rafael Leao
Leao joined his Milano teammates in despairing over their middling Serie A finish, but he can hold his head high after notching 25 goal contributions from 50 matches in all competitions.
AC Milan's Rafael Leao reacts
Actually praised as "one of the best in the world" by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Leao is typically found on the left wing, using his blistering pace to overwhelm opponents, stretch defensive lines.
He's also a tenacious sort, averaging 1.7 dribbles per league game and winning 50% of his duels, as per Sofascore, which is impressive given he's a forward.
Moreover, Leao hit eight goals and assists apiece across the divisional campaign and only missed eight big chances, so while his numbers could be raised up a level, given his almighty technical quality, he's not exactly profligate.
Indeed, Leao could do more from the clinical department, but his underlying data suggests he could yet bloom into a deadly marksman for a team like Liverpool.
As per FBref, he ranked among the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Italian first division this season for goal contributions, the top 10% for shot-creating actions, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90.
Efforts might be focused on getting Wirtz over to Anfield, but Leao's potential is crazy, and there's every chance the fleet-footed talent could bring the X-factor to make him just as exciting as his German counterpart, should he sign.
AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates scoring their first goal
You can see why Liverpool are intrigued: With Diaz potentially on the way out this summer, bringing in a successor of similarly electric qualities would be a sure-fire way to maintain the fluency down Liverpool's wide flank.
Furthermore, his consistency might be an attribute that could do with some improving, but if he's already notching decent numbers for a team that struggled for form, Slot may fancy his chance in elevating this thrilling player to the next level.
Leao also created ten big chances in Serie A, more than any of his Rossoneri teammates.
rafael-leao-milan
Leao's output might leave something to be desired, but his overarching skill set is truly something to behold. Regarded as a "superstar" by football writer Theo Mwangi, the nifty winger could be just as exciting as Wirtz in the Liverpool starting line-up next year.
Just imagine them playing side-by-side.
Liverpool dream lineup for 2025-26 Related
[The dream XI Liverpool could build: Wirtz signs & "the next Mbappe" arrives](https://www.footballfancast.com/wirtz-signs-with-hugo-ekitike-dream-liverpool-line-up-next-season/ "The dream XI Liverpool could build: Wirtz signs & "the next Mbappe" arrives")
Liverpool are making sweeping changes in the transfer market as Slot prepares to defend his PL title.