Barcelona get answer in Luis Diaz transfer talks

Barcelona have enquired about the availability of Luis Diaz in a meeting held between the player’s representative and club president Joan Laporta, according to one report in the winger's homeland. 

It’s been claimed in Colombia’s El Heraldo that Diaz's agent Carlos Van-Strahalen sat down with Laporta for dinner last week to discuss a prospective deal. 

Diaz, 27, has long been linked with a move to Camp Nou, going back to his Porto days, and it has been suggested in recent weeks that he could even be a high-profile departure from Anfield this summer in the post-Jurgen Klopp shakeup. 

Diaz joined Liverpool in 2022 from Porto for a fee of £37.5m and has scored 22 goals in 85 games overall for the Reds. 

This season he has managed 11 from 38 outings, and has been a near ever-present on the left wing despite the gruelling fixture schedule as the Reds compete on four fronts. However, he has also faced criticism from some quarters for his lack of composure in front of goal. 

'It's unfeasible' - Barca knocked back in Diaz bid

The supposed summit between Barca and Diaz’s agent did not yield a satisfactory outcome for the Catalans, who learned that Liverpool would look for between €120m (£102m) and €140m (£120m) for the No. 7. 

“It’s unfeasible,” was reported to be Laporta’s response upon hearing those figures with the Barca supremo out of so-called levers to pull and the club again facing a financial crisis. 

Diaz is under contract at Anfield until 2027, but the Colombian story makes the bold claim that Liverpool would be willing to let him go should any bid meet their demands. 

There are reasons to be highly sceptical of El Heraldo's transfer report.

It seems highly unlikely that Liverpool would entertain the sale of Diaz — or any major first-team star — before putting in place the new behind-the-scenes decision makers at the club ahead of next season.

The Reds will be without a manager at the end of the campaign and a new sporting director will also need to be announced with Jorg Schmadtke having left his role in January.

It is now expected that Michael Edwards will return to the club in a senior leadership role, while departing Bournemouth transfer chief Richard Hughes is tipped to be the new sporting director.

Diaz has won two Carabao Cups and an FA Cup since arriving at the club and played in the 2022 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.