Liverpool will soon focus on some major player exits, and have already sorted out the departure of Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford. However, the Reds are facing a battle to hold on to a player that Arne Slot and the hierarchy do not want to sell this summer.
The Merseyside giants have already forked out a £30m fee for Jeremie Frimpong and are prepared to offer a club-record deal to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
Another £42m is set to be directed towards the signing of Milos Kerkez, but the club will soon shift their focus to player sales to balance their books and the squad in the ongoing transfer window.
However, Liverpool are now also facing a real battle to hold on to a top player who was a regular in Arne Slot’s team, and someone the Dutchman does not want to lose.
Name the team Liverpool signed these players from in the 2010s
European giants are tapping up a top Anfield star
Barcelona have publicly declared their interest in Luis Diaz, and he is one of the priority targets for the Catalan giants this summer.
However, Liverpool were quick to rebuff their approach when Barcelona sporting director Deco contacted the Merseyside giants earlier this week.
Barcelona were informed that Diaz is not for sale this summer, but according to Marca, Liverpool’s stance has done little to deter the European giants.
The Catalan giants are aware that the player is attracted to the prospect of moving to the Nou Camp and playing for Hansi Flick next season.
They believe Liverpool’s stance is only a negotiating position, and they will be open to a transfer once they realise Diaz wants the move this summer.
Flick would want his squad to be ready before pre-season begins next month, but is aware that the negotiations for Diaz could drag late into the summer.
The Colombian has two years left on his contract, and Liverpool are comfortable if he doesn’t sign a new deal.
