Florian Wirtz has been associated with a move to Liverpool, but further reports claim that a move for the German can open the door for one Merseyside star to join Barcelona
Barcelona is convinced that they can protect a movement for Liverpool for Luis Diaz if the MerseSiders get a huge deal for Bayer Leverkusen -star Florian Wirtz, according to reports. The side of Arne Slot is strongly connected to a movement for the German, who is said to have a price tag of approximately £ 120 million on his head.
Wirtz, 22, has been one of the most impressive young midfielders in the world for many years and fell at Euro 2024, when he scored two goals for Die Mannschaft. Slot won the Premier League title, after he had only signed Italy International Federico Chiesa last season, but he is ready to spend this summer in an attempt to strengthen his team.
The Reds are close to the signing of Leverkusen right-back Jeremie From Pong for £ 30 million and are also heavily connected to Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez. However, some players will have to leave and Barcelona Sporting Director Deco recently admitted that the La Liga champions are admirers of Diaz.
The Colombian contributed 13 goals and seven assists in 35 Premier League performances last season. However, if the Reds were to sort out a sum of nine digits on the Bundesliga winner, the Catalans believe that a road to Diaz would appear.
According to the Spanish outlet sport, Hansi Flick's side would be “trust” that they could convince the Colombian to move to the Nou -camp when Wirtz became a Liverpool player. It also states that the Blaugrana monitors the negotiations between the Reds and Leverkusen, who have already said goodbye to manager Xabi Alonso.
The Reds are also supposed to consider a movement for Real Madrid wing player Rodrygo, which is considered interesting for Arsenal. If the side of Slot secures the services of the Brazilian instead of Wirtz, the intentions of Barcelona with Diaz would be the same.
Deco recently stated that the club recognizes the talent of Diaz and tells RAC 1: “Talking about players who have contracts with other clubs is complicated out of respect. We love Luis [Diaz]We like it [Marcus] Rashford, and we love other players. When we go to the market, there are names that we know and that the team can improve. “
At the moment there is no sign that Liverpool is preparing to sell Diaz, even with the links to Wirtz. When he was asked about the rumors, Slot laughed at them in his recent press conference.
The Dutchman said: “Deco said this about Diaz in the microphone or is that of hearing? Yes, every club has its own way of doing things. I don't talk about players from other clubs.
“I understand that he is a great admirer of Lucho Diaz. I am also a great admirer of him. He is a great player and had a great season. I admire Lamine Yamal and Raphinha!”
In March the father of Diaz, Mane Diaz, admitted that he wants to see his son move to La Liga, NameCecking Barcelona and Real Madrid as teams he admires. He said to Cadena Ser: “There was never anything serious with Real Madrid of Atletico [in 2022]. Liverpool was always more determined and concrete to sign louse. “
He added: “We have not lost our hope yet. Luis is playing well and Spanish clubs are always active in the market.”
The Diaz contract in Anfield does not expire until the summer of 2027. He contributed 41 goals and 23 assists in 147 performances for the Reds, since his £ 37.5 million move from Porto in the transfer star of 2022 January.
In the meantime, Wirtz is also being sought by Manchester City and Bayern Munich, although the latter is not willing to meet his huge price tag. Reports also emerged on Friday that the German in Liverpool is 'house yacht', indicating that the men of Slot can be the front runners for his signature.