The latest on the future of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, who is wanted by the Saudi Pro League's Al-Nassr and Barcelona
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Luis Diaz of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on September 21, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Luis Diaz, a key part of Liverpool's title-winning team, has been linked with a move away from the club this summer
(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Liverpool have no plans to sell Luis Diaz this summer amid interest from the Saudi Pro League and Barcelona. And it's understood club officials are baffled by ongoing speculation regarding the Colombia international given his efforts to help win the Premier League.
Diaz scored 17 goals across all competitions for the Reds in the 24/25 campaign, including 13 in the league to help the club secure their 20th championship, often while operating in an unfamiliar No.9 position as Diogo Jota recovered from an upper body issue that left him sidelined for around four months.
Saudi club Al-Nassr are interested in the former Porto winger but no approach has been made so far and Liverpool are not encouraging any overtures for a player who Arne Slot views as important to his long-term plans.
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Diaz is into the final two years of his contract and spoke to Telemundo last month about his hope of opening talks about an extension.
“Since the first day I arrived, I’ve always been happy, calm, enjoying the football played at this great team," he said.
“We’ll be talking about [renewing], we’ll talk about it. For me, I’d stay however many years it takes. It also depends on the club, everything.
"These are details that are worked out separately. But I’m very calm, happy and enjoying the Premier League.”
It's understood that no talks are planned as things stand to renew the terms of a player who joined for a fee worth up to £50m from Porto in January 2022, but the Reds are relaxed about the situation.
With Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, who is two years older than Diaz, the subject of a £100m offer from Al-Hilal prior to his public rejection earlier this week, Liverpool would demand more than the fees currently in circulation for their winger if they were to consider offloading him.
And the player himself remains settled on Merseyside with his partner Gera Ponce, despite her Instagram post on Sunday evening being interpreted as a goodbye message to fans.
Speaking after the city-wide parade with the Premier League trophy on May 26, Diaz, who turned 28 in January, spoke of his happiness on official club channels, saying: “I feel I’m going through a really good period.
"I’m really happy to be here, to be part of this great institution, this great club and to have great teammates around me.
"From the moment I arrived, I felt great pride. I always tried to work hard for this, and to see that nowadays things are working out for me fills me with pride and I’m really happy because that’s what I work for."
Barcelona's interest in Diaz has yet to be made concrete and sporting director Deco spoke of links to the Colombian alongside Manchester United's Marcus Rashford earlier this week, admitting there is admiration for both.
"We have been focusing on renewing contracts, after that, we'll discuss players to come," Deco said. "Of course, these two players, like you mentioned, they are good but have contracts in their clubs, so we won't speak because it's not fair.
"But when you decide to go to the market, for sure, we find some names. In my opinion, we don't need to bring many players. When I speak with the agents of the players, everyone wants to come or stay. So this is important.
"The image of the club is still good. We are proud because Barcelona is still such a big club, and the way we are playing football makes players want to come."
This is the second successive summer Diaz has been linked with a move to Barcelona, however, and there is doubt around the La Liga side's ability to raise the money needed to bring a reluctant Reds to the negotiating table.
Asked about tentative interest from Barca last month, Slot laughed off the links, replying: "Did Deco say this about Diaz in the microphone or is that from hearsay?
"Yes, every club has his own way of doing things. I don’t talk about players from other clubs. I understand he is a big admirer of Lucho Diaz. I am a big admirer of him as well. He is a great player and had a great season. I admire Lamine Yamal and Raphinha!"