Barcelona will be wary of entering into any deal for Luis Diaz this summer, with the La Liga giant having been stung by Michael Edwards’ genius transfer ploy in the past.
Diaz is being linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer, with Barcelona once again being heavily touted as a possible destination. The Spanish champion has already seen an approach rejected by the Reds, although the speculation is not about to die down anytime soon.
Barca’s sporting director Deco has already admitted to being interested in the Colombian, and Diaz has confirmed he has been in talks with other clubs as he weighs up his options this summer.
Diaz’s father has previously revealed that his son is a fan of the Camp Nou club, although Barcelona might think twice about making another approach, given its history with negotiating with Liverpool, and Edwards in particular.
Richard Hughes will of course be in charge of the Reds’ business this summer, although Edwards’ return to FSG last year might well have Barca reconsidering its interest.
Edwards of course previously held Hughes’ position of sporting director at Anfield, and was responsible for the signings of the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah, among others.
Luis Diaz.
Luis Diaz has been linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer (Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It’s not just the plethora of game-changing signings that Edwards’ first spell with Liverpool is remembered for though, with one player’s sale going on to play a huge role in the subsequent success under Jurgen Klopp.
Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona back in January 2018 would go on to be a huge turning point for both clubs. Having emerged as one of Europe’s most sought-after players, Liverpool managed to secure a fee of around $142 million for the Brazilian, rising to $193M with add-ons.
It was a record fee for Liverpool, and would go a long way to helping with the signings of Alisson and Fabinho later that year - both of whom would play a vital role in the Reds’ Champions League triumph in 2019, in which they would famously beat Barcelona along the way.
As part of the deal, Edwards is also understood to have included a condition that effectively prevented Barca from buying any more of Liverpool’s top players in the following years.
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The clause would have forced the La Liga side to pay a $121M premium for any Liverpool player over the next two years, potentially scaring them off the likes of Salah and Van Dijk.
Coutinho would of course go on to endure a torrid time in the Catalan region, with the Brazilian being sent out on loan to Bayern Munich and Aston Villa before eventually securing a permanent exit in 2022.
That experience alone may well have Deco and co thinking again about doing business with Liverpool this summer, although Diaz has confirmed he has been in talks with other clubs.
"I’m very happy at Liverpool," he said last week. "They’ve treated me well since the first day.
"We’re talking with other clubs. It’s the transfer window, it’s normal. If Liverpool renews my contract, or if I have to stay the two years I have left, I’ll be happy. It’s up to them."