Liverpool's Luis Diaz replacement is already known as Barcelona and Bayern Munich ramp up interest
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.
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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.
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.
It 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
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.
Malick Fofana
While Lyon have been spared relegation to Ligue 2, meaning they won’t be readily picked apart this summer, Malick Fofana is understandably a man in demand. The Belgian, who started 16 times in Ligue 1 last season, chipped in with a modest five goals and four assists despite struggling to consolidate a starting spot at Parc OL.
Fofana was able to get the better of his marker relatively frequently last season, as noted by an average of 1.4 dribbles per 90, while there was a commendable end product to his game having managed 1.4 key passes per 90 in France’s top tier. Crucially, too, the 20-year-old averaged 1.2 tackles per 90. He’s prepared to work hard off the ball for the good of the team.
That said, Fofana won’t be short of potential suitors, with a number of sides prepared to capitalise on Lyon’s financial difficulties. Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern are among the sides keeping tabs on Fofana according to a report from the Independent earlier this month, while Lyon are demanding £51.5m for the winger, though that could be negotiated down given the club’s need to sell.
Kenan Yildiz
Juventus endured a testing campaign. While they finished fourth, securing a Champions League spot in the process, Thiago Motta struggled in the Old Lady hotseat. Igor Tudor did enough to convince he was worthy of the spot with a solid end to the season, but fans expect Juventus to be challenging for majors honours not battling for a top-four spot.
Kenan Yildiz was a shining light in a sub-par season and his stock has soared despite the Old Lady’s struggles. The Turkish youngster scored seven times and laid on four assists for Juventus last season, but it’s his ability to beat a man that really caught the eye. Indeed, only Nico Paz (69) completed more dribbles than Yildiz (59) in Italy’s top tier last term, and his unpredictability is an appealing trait.
While Liverpool would be reluctant to sign another forward from Juventus – Federico Chiesa struggled in his debut season at Anfield – Yildiz is widely considered one of the hottest prospects in Italy. That Juventus have supposedly slapped a £84m price tag on the versatile forward is testament to the faith the club shows in the 20-year-old.
Topics: Anthony Gordon, Liverpool, Luis Diaz, Rodrygo, Transfer News
Ben McAleer