Luis Diaz may have to stomach Liverpool stance as transfer subplot emerges

If a record-spending June has already seen Liverpool post the biggest transfer window in their history, there is huge intrigue as to what will now follow at Anfield. For players like Andy Robertson and Harvey Elliott, some thinking time may be forthcoming over their roles in an evolving landscape under Arne Slot.

Darwin Nunez is edging closer towards the exit door with Serie A champions Napoli leading the way for the Uruguay international.

Elsewhere younger players like Tyler Morton and Stefan Bajcetic might see their futures come in for speculation, while question marks remain over Federico Chiesa and now Kostas Tsimikas, following the addition of £40m Milos Kerkez.

There is no more fascinating subplot that will run this summer though than Luis Diaz's specific situation though.

Speaking at the back end of last season, Diaz was enthusiastic about his time at Anfield and suggested the plan was to sit down with his representatives and the club to thrash out new terms.

“Yes, [I'm] happy,” Diaz said in May. "From the first day I arrived, I’ve always been happy, calm, enjoying the football played at this great team. We’ll be talking about it, we’ll talk about it (about the renewal).

"For me, I would stay however many years it takes, it also depends on the club, everything. These are details that are sorted out separately. Very calm, I’m happy and enjoying the Premier League."

Despite Diaz's delight at life in general terms, the speculation over his wage packet on Merseyside has been rife and it's understood an increase is being sought by the player's camp.

The Colombia international remains on the same terms that he signed on when he joined in January 2022 from Porto and while Reds insiders have previously poured scorn on online estimates over his weekly salary, it's fair to reflect Diaz remains one of the lowest paid of the sort of players who might reasonably consider themselves as important figures for the Premier League winners.

"We are currently in contact with Liverpool, because we are talking to clubs, and that’s normal given the transfer market that’s opening," Diaz said recently. "We’re trying to arrange what’s best for us.

“We’re talking to clubs, it’s normal in the market and we’re looking at what’s best for us. I’m waiting to see what happens. I’m very happy at Liverpool, I’ve always said so. They’ve welcomed me very well from day one. If they give us a good renewal or I stay there for two years, I’ll be happy. Now it’s up to them.”

Reports from those close to Diaz's camp claimed on Thursday that he and his entourage are unhappy at what they view as broken promises over Liverpool's reluctance to enter into talks over a new deal.

The Reds stressed earlier this month that they have no intention of listening to offers for the versatile frontman this summer and while it has been detailed from those with knowledge of the situation that a move to Barcelona would represent something of a 'dream', the idea that a cash-strapped La Liga outfit can pay the sort of fee that would make the champions change stance is widely viewed with suspicion.

Barca's sporting director Deco, who has been outspoken over interest, is said to be close with the player's Portuguese agent, Raul Pais da Costa.

But while that might make any negotiations more straightforward further down the line, Liverpool won't entertain offers that are inevitably way below what they value a player they don't even want to sell at.

The £100m offer put forward from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for Bruno Fernandes, prior his recent public declaration that he will be staying at Manchester United, is viewed as a more realistic ballpark than offloading Diaz to Barcelona, given his exploits last term when he scored 13 times to help the Reds to the title.

At 28 and with two years left on his contract, Liverpool are relaxed about the situation they find themselves in with Diaz and while there will be some sympathy externally for a player whose talents may not be totally in line with his weekly wage, the hard-nosed, business-like approach from sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG's CEO of football Michael Edwards mean the winger might simply have to accept his fate for now.

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