Ornstein Reveals Liverpool’s Decision to Reject Barcelona’s Diaz Interest | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Position on Luis Diaz: Why The Transfer Saga May Not Be Over Yet

In recent days, Liverpool have rejected an approach from Barcelona, making it clear that Luis Diaz is not for sale. This declaration has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. The Colombian winger, signed from Porto in January 2022, is under contract with Liverpool until the summer of 2027, but the situation surrounding his future is far from simple.

Liverpool Stand Firm Against Barcelona’s Interest

David Ornstein, writing for The Athletic, reports that Barcelona made an approach to Liverpool in hopes of securing a deal for Diaz, but the Merseyside club were unequivocal in their response: Diaz is not for sale. The 28-year-old has been a key figure for Liverpool, contributing significantly to their recent successes, including their 20th English league title. However, this doesn’t necessarily guarantee a long-term future at Anfield.

Luis Diaz’s Contract and Future at Liverpool

Diaz’s contract is set to run until 2027, but despite this, there has been little indication from Liverpool that a new agreement is on the horizon. The winger is still highly regarded within the squad, and head coach Arne Slot is planning to have him as part of his squad for the 2025-26 season. Yet, Liverpool’s stance seems somewhat pragmatic; while they aren’t actively seeking to offload Diaz, they are also not in a rush to extend his contract. This creates an intriguing scenario where the player could very well leave on a free transfer when his deal expires in two years.

Photo: IMAGO

David Ornstein notes that “Liverpool’s new-look hierarchy, led by sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football Michael Edwards, has sought to address the contract issue – however progress has not materialised.” This suggests that while there is an effort to secure Diaz’s long-term future, Liverpool’s approach remains cautious.

Potential Bidding War: Saudi Arabia and Barcelona’s Interest

Beyond Barcelona’s approach, there is also considerable interest from the Saudi Pro League, particularly following the high-profile rejection by Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes to Al Hilal. This shift in the market has allowed Liverpool to assess Diaz’s value more clearly, with Ornstein pointing out that his market price is likely rising. “The recent pursuit of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, 30, by Al Hilal helped Liverpool establish Diaz’s market price.”

The presence of clubs like Barcelona and top Saudi sides may eventually drive a bidding war, something Liverpool are clearly preparing for. While Diaz has so far shown no indication that he wants to leave, the interest from such powerful clubs puts the ball firmly in Liverpool’s court. And it’s evident that the club is keeping its options open.

Maximising Diaz’s Value: Selling or Holding Firm?

Liverpool’s ideal scenario would be to retain Diaz for one more season, even though his value would decline. But if the right offer comes in, one that allows Liverpool to replace him with a player of similar or superior quality, they would likely consider a sale. “At Diaz’s age, their current preference would be to maximise his performance value — even if that means exiting as a free agent,” the report explains.

This is a difficult but realistic approach for Liverpool to take. With his contract expiring in two years, Liverpool could make the decision to let him play out his contract and then negotiate a move on a free transfer, or they could look for a deal that suits both parties. What seems certain is that they are not going to be rushed into a decision, especially with the market so volatile.

Photo: IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

I can’t help but feel like there’s more to this situation than meets the eye. It seems as though the club is using media contacts to push the idea that Diaz is “not for sale” to build hype around his potential transfer. I’ve seen this play out before, and it feels like an attempt to spark a bidding war between Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League. The fact that Liverpool are rejecting offers while making it clear they’re not keen to extend his contract raises questions about their true intentions.

There’s also the matter of Diaz’s recent social media activity, which, to many fans, looks suspiciously like a farewell. His partner has posted cryptic messages, and his father has hinted at a move to Barcelona for quite some time. Given all these clues, it seems more likely that the Colombian is looking for an exit. With only two years left on his contract and no significant movement on a renewal, Liverpool are in a prime position to sell him for top dollar.

At 28 years old, Diaz is entering the prime of his career, and this might be the perfect time for Liverpool to cash in before his value starts to depreciate. The situation is far from straightforward, and it’s clear that the club is weighing its options carefully. While I’d like to see Diaz stay, I also can’t ignore the fact that Liverpool might be trying to play a clever game in the transfer market to maximise his value. Whether they’ll succeed in driving up his price remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the next few months will be crucial for both Liverpool and Luis Diaz.