£80m-rated winger's future hangs in the BALANCE after offer rejected | OneFootball

It was claimed earlier this week that Liverpool had rebuffed Barcelona’s attempts to discuss a deal for Luis Diaz. The Catalans’ sporting director Deco is reported to view Diaz as his ideal option to improve his side’s attack.

Capable of playing left-wing or else as a No9 in an emergency, the 28-year-old is coming off a season in which he scored 13 Premier League goals which helped fire the Reds to the title.

But the Colombian’s future is insecure. He is under contract until 2027 and right now there is little hope of him agreeing a new deal.

Although Liverpool are reported to have informed Barcelona that he’s not for sale, the Athletic’s reporting on the bid made it clear that a bid would be considered.

“At Diaz’s age, their current preference would be to maximise his performance value — even if that means exiting as a free agent — unless Liverpool receive bids that enable them to land a replacement of similar or superior quality,” it reads.

Saudi Arabian clubs have been reported to be willing to pay £80m for Diaz, helping establish a benchmark for his valuation. So what’s the most likely outcome for Diaz this summer?

Will Diaz run his contract down?

The Athletic report stated that Liverpool would be willing to allow Diaz to run his contract down. With two years left on a deal worth a reported £55k per week, it’s a risk the club are willing to take.

He’s in the form of his life and is still at an age where he can give plenty under Arne Slot. His wage over this time frame would cost Liverpool just under £6m gross.

There probably isn’t another player who can do with Diaz does for that kind of money. However, there is another factor to consider here. It’s that for his age, experience, output and trophy record, Diaz is probably underpaid relative to his market value.

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Are Liverpool going to renew Diaz?

£55k per week places him among the lower ranks of Liverpool earners. It might have seemed like a good wage for him when he signed his deal back in 2022, but right now he could probably do with an upgrade.

That brings us to another option. A renewal for Diaz. Unfortunately for the Colombian, this doesn’t look like it’s going to happen - at least on the wages he wants.

Through various reports we’ve learned that Diaz would charge around £140k to £150k per week for a renewal - almost tripling Liverpool’s salary outlay on him.

You can see the attraction of keeping him around for £6m. But let’s say Liverpool renew him for £150k per week on a four-year deal which kicks in this summer.

That overall sum will cost Liverpool over £30m during the lifetime of the contract. Does that sound like value for Luis Diaz to you? Me neither.

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Will Liverpool cash in on Diaz?

Diaz HAS had a good season, let’s not forget that. But he scored his goals in bunches and still frustrated the life out of supporters during certain matches.

At £150k per week he simply doesn’t represent Liverpool’s best use of that salary budget. That sounds harsh but it’s logical.

So that brings us to the final possibility. There’s little doubt that Liverpool WOULD sell Diaz this summer if they got the right money in. It seems €80m or thereabouts would do the trick.

Barcelona want him but don’t look like they can afford him. Maybe they will come back having pulled another lever. Who knows. Diaz’s father has also made it clear that his son would love to go there. But it will all depend on Barca’s ability to pay.

The other club who could make a move is Al-Nassr. Among the Saudi Pro League teams, they seem right now to be the most willing.

Sporting director Richard Hughes would surely love a bid from the SPL which would test his resolve. £80m would go a long way towards paying for Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez. But right now we are at a bit of an impasse.

Diaz is probably not going to get the renewal he desires on the terms he wants.

That leaves the possibility of the Reds letting him run down his deal or else selling him as soon as possible. Both options are on the table but it looks like Diaz’s days are numbered as soon as the right bid comes in. Over to Al-Nassr and Barca.