Liverpool are tipped to cash in on Luis Diaz this summer despite playing a crucial role in last season’s Premier League title triumph.
The 28-year-old, who is contracted to the club until 2027, but looks to be engineering a move away from Merseyside.
Barcelona had been heavily linked with a move for Diaz, and may return for the Colombia international having missed out on Nico Williams, though Marcus Rashford is also a target. Bayern, meanwhile, need attacking reinforcements following Leroy Sane’s exit and Jamal Musiala’s serious injury at the Club World Cup.
German publication BILD reports that Bayern have lodged a £44.8m bid for Diaz, however that is believed to be below Liverpool’s valuation for the former Porto man. Indeed, it’s reported that both player and club have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ that he can leave if the club receive an offer of £69.1m.
Even so, with the transfer window open until early September, there is time for interested parties to strike a deal with Liverpool for Diaz, who scored 13 times and provided five assists in the Premier League last season. As such, attention turns to who may – realistically – replace Diaz at Anfield.
Newcastle star Anthony Gordon has been linked with a move to Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Anthony Gordon
Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Anthony Gordon last summer. The England international, who left rivals Everton for Newcastle in 2023, was key as the Magpies secured domestic glory and landed a Champions League last season. Gordon has his suitors at Anfield and it’s easy to see why.
The 24-year-old has the high work rate that’ll appeal to the powers that be having averaged a modest 1.2 tackles per 90 last season, while a commendable 1.4 dribbles per 90 suggests he can put defences on the backfoot in the same manner as Diaz. Newcastle are close to signing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and have been heavily linked with a move for Jack Grealish, meaning that they may look to cash in on Gordon, who was reportedly “very keen” on a return to Merseyside last year.
would take a sizeable bid to convince Newcastle to sell Gordon, however. The winger only signed a new long-term deal last year and the Magpies supposedly value Gordon at £100m. Even so, Liverpool’s interest is understandable given his style of play, combined with his homegrown status.
Rodrygo to Liverpool? (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rodrygo
Having been deemed surplus to requirements by Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, Rodrygo is expected to depart the Spanish side this summer. A Premier League switch has been mooted with Arsenal, who are closing on in the signing of Noni Madueke, and Liverpool credited with an interest in the Brazilian.
Crucially is that Rodrygo’s versatility is something that will be welcomed on Anfield. Not only did Diaz operate from the left flank last season, the Colombian led the line on occasion, which would suit Rodrygo’s style. While he is viewed as a right winger who can play up front, the Brazil international’s preference is to use his right foot, which would suit Liverpool under Arne Slot.
The Dutch boss wants his wingers to cut infield from their respective flanks to allow the bombarding full-backs to stretch defences. With Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez joining from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth, respectively, Slot will look to his wingers to come inside to open space for the buccaneering pair to overlap. Expected to depart the Bernabeu, Rodrygo could prove a smart pick up provided the Reds can convince the forward to overlook the Emirates for Anfield.