As per reports, Barcelona are about to make their first concrete move to sign Liverpool winger Luis Diaz.
Xavi had been focusing on Bilbao’s Nico Williams but new manager Hansi Flick is said to be fond of Luis Diaz which is why Barca are planning to sign him on a swap deal that will see Raphinha go the other way.
Flick feels Yamal is going to be the future star on the right wing which is why he is ready to offload Raphinha and is hoping Arne Slot will accept the Brazilian international and allow Diaz to head to Spain.
Is Luis Diaz a sensible target for the new Barcelona manager?
Barcelona are need of a new left-winger for the 24/25 season and Diaz is someone who will be the ideal fit.
Nico Williams has also been brilliant this season but it seems like his high salary demands have forced the Catalans to back off and focus their interest on the Liverpool man. Williams already earns a handsome salary of more than €200,000 per week at Bilbao and he is demanding a major bump in wages from whichever club wishes to sign him.
Diaz has been with Liverpool since 2022 and this season, he has had 13 goal contributions in 37 Premier League matches with an xG of 11.88. His 8 league goals this season have come from just 32 shots on target and even defensively, he is very strong, winning more than 70% of tackles.
Right now, Ferran Torres is the only recognised left-winger at the club and Luis Diaz will be a major upgrade to the 24-year-old, any day. With Yamal going on the right path, Flick can certainly cash in on Raphinha and in turn, try and land the Liverpool winger.
Will Liverpool let Diaz join Barca and take in Raphinha?
Apart from Arsenal, Liverpool are one of the major clubs who have been linked with Raphinha in recent weeks and if Mo Salah does not sign a new deal then the Brazilian can very easily land up at Anfield.
Salah’s contract is up in 2025 and there have been rumours that the winger could be on his way to the Saudi Pro League. Liverpool had rejected a major offer for Salah last summer but the experts believe the management won’t be so stupid this time around.
If Mo Salah is on his way out then Raphinha could be the ideal replacement but the Barcelona manager is valued at only €50 million while Luis Diaz is valued at €75 million with three years remaining on his contract.
A straight swap might not be possible but if Barcelona can offer Raphinha plus €25-30 million for Diaz then Liverpool could very well accept it.
