Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, with the Catalan giants potentially looking to use a swap deal to circumvent Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions.
Diaz, a lifelong Barcelona supporter, has been heavily linked with a move to the Camp Nou, and this transfer could be a dream come true for the 27-year-old Colombian. The Reds initially valued the winger at £64 million, but they may be willing to reduce their asking price to £51 million.
Spanish journalist Pipe Sierra claims that Barcelona have reignited talks with Liverpool over the signing of Diaz, who has a release clause of £50 million. The report suggests that Barcelona will use transfer funds initially earmarked for Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams to secure the deal.
However, a potentially ingenious swap deal between the two clubs could be in the works, allowing both sides to overcome their respective FFP challenges. The specific players involved in this proposed swap deal remain unknown, but rumours abound. In June, reports indicated that almost the entire Barcelona squad, except for several key players including Pau Cubarsi, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, was potentially available for transfer.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are in the market for a new midfielder after their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi fell through. This could lead them to target Frenkie de Jong, a long-term Manchester United target, although the Dutchman's exorbitant wages could be a significant hurdle for the Reds who have historically been reluctant to break their wage structure. De Jong is currently earning a staggering £400,000 per week.
Diaz joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 for an initial fee of £37 million, which could rise to £49 million. He has made a notable impact at Anfield, scoring 24 goals and providing 13 assists in 98 appearances across all competitions.
Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign with a trip to Ipswich on Saturday, and Diaz's future with the Reds remains uncertain as the transfer window closes in. The possibility of a swap deal with Barcelona offers a potential solution for both clubs, and the coming weeks could see this intriguing transfer saga reach its climax.
