Luis Díaz wants to leave — well, that’s the murmurs and they’re only getting stronger as each day passes
The Colombian winger, under contract until 2027, has reportedly informed the club of his desire to leave. He believes his chapter in English football has closed. Whether it ends in Munich or Barcelona — the two clubs most aggressively pursuing him — remains to be seen.
Bayern Munich have already seen a £59 million bid rejected. Barcelona, despite their financial limits, are probing creative deals.
Díaz still has value and the Premier League champions, fresh off their first title since 2020, are already moving forward with strategic planning — not just to replace a player, but to bolster their attack for Arne Slot’s second season in charge.
This is more than a simple one-in, one-out. Díaz’s potential exit raises broader questions about identity, tactical reshaping, and Liverpool’s evolving transfer policy under Slot, Michael Edwards, and sporting director Richard Hughes.
Signed from Porto in January 2022, the winger injected spark into a Liverpool team still chasing four trophies that season. His quick feet, fearless dribbling, and high defensive work rate made him an instant fan favourite. Since then, he’s made 148 appearances in all competitions, scoring 41 goals and providing 23 assists for the Reds.
But for all his industry and excitement, Díaz has sometimes lacked the final-third ruthlessness that defined Sadio Mané before him. His decision-making in tight areas, particularly against deep blocks, has occasionally stalled attacking momentum. That hasn’t gone unnoticed in the recruitment department and fans alike occasionally leaving them frustrated.
If he’s ready to leave, Liverpool must ensure they recruit someone not only capable of filling his statistical void, but who also aligns with Slot’s system. That brings us to three very different, but equally compelling, players who we think would be suitable candidates.
Rodrygo – Real Madrid
Rodrygo Silva de Goes has long been admired by Liverpool’s data and scouting departments dating back to when he was still a 17-year-old at Santos. That interest never fully faded and now, it may finally be actionable. Reports claim that Liverpool has formally expressed interest in Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, although no official offer has been tabled yet.
Liverpool’s previous attempt to secure the Brazilian’s signature was unsuccessful, even with Jurgen Klopp personally stepping in.
The 24-year-old has come up against the Reds on several occasions in European football, winning four of his five games, including the 2022 Champions League final, which Madrid won 1-0 courtesy of a goal from compatriot Vinicius Jr. He almost came close to signing for the Reds in 2017 for just £2.5m prior to his move to Real Madrid.
“We didn’t close the deal because I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay at Santos even though the offer was very good,”
But his role under Carlo Ancelotti, and now Xabi Alonso, has never felt fully defined. He’s often used as a utility forward, starting on the right, drifting central, or rotating in false nine roles.
What makes him interesting for Liverpool is that his most effective football has come off the left. That’s where he played for Santos. That’s where he prefers to receive the ball. That’s where he can isolate defenders, cut inside on his stronger right foot, and combine with an overlapping full-back.
If you were to describe a Slot player, he’s the definition he’s an exceptional presser. Slot’s high defensive line and proactive pressing system depend on forwards who can not only win the ball back quickly, but also position themselves to prevent opposition build-up. Rodrygo does this instinctively.
The asking price, however, is steep. Real Madrid reportedly want £86 million, and are in no rush to sell. But with Kylian Mbappé’s arrival and Endrick set to be integrated, minutes will be limited. Rodrygo is open to a move, with the Premier League his preferred destination over Saudi offers and, if Díaz goes for around £70m, reinvesting in the Brazilian feels less like indulgence and more like evolution.
Anthony Gordon – Newcastle United
Anthony Gordon isn’t a new name on Liverpool’s shortlist; he’s been hovering near the top for over a year. Last summer, a deal was all but agreed. Personal terms were reached and a fee of around £75 million was discussed. Only Newcastle’s sudden change of financial position, and to alternative sales, stopped the transfer.
Twelve months later, the interest remains and arguably makes more sense now. Gordon, 24, has had fantastic career trajectory at Newcastle — 150 appearances 25 goals, 18 assists, and a growing reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous transition players. He started regularly for England in the build-up to the Euros and impressed with his end product and tireless work rate.
Slot’s Liverpool ask a lot from wingers: vertical stretching, rapid recovery runs, and an ability to initiate counters with one touch. Gordon ticks those boxes emphatically. His sprint numbers both in and out of possession are among the highest in the Premier League. And perhaps most importantly, he wants to be at Liverpool.
Gordon grew up idolising Steven Gerrard, has family in Merseyside, and has made no secret of his desire to wear the red shirt. That matters, especially when integrating into a high-pressure environment with immediate expectations.
The challenge is Newcastle’s valuation, which is believed to be £80–85 million. He signed a long-term deal last October, but the groundwork laid last summer could accelerate talks if Díaz’s sale goes through. He’s not just a fallback option, he’s a genuine candidate.
Malick Fofana – Lyon
The 20-year-old Belgian winger would be such an intriguing move. He was one of the standout performers in Ligue 1 last season despite playing for a struggling Lyon side battling relegation and financial difficulties. In 41 appearances, he contributed 11 goals and six assists, and consistently stood out for his ball carrying, flair, and attacking unpredictability.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Malick Fofana has been the subject of a bid from Nottingham Forest, agreed by Lyon. However, the Belgian prodigy of African descent has higher ambitions and is eyeing a Champions League club, which ticks the box for the Reds.
Fofana’s camp has previously indicated the player “dreams of playing for Liverpool.” Bobo Fofana, Malick’s agent, told AfricaFoot.
“The choice of heart would be Liverpool. He has the potential to enter the rotation, and above all, we would like to see him succeed African legends such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and El Hadji Diouf.”
Fofana is not yet a finished product. He’s raw. But he’s electric in 1-on-1 situations, has elite acceleration, and already shows signs of tactical maturity pressing with discipline and rotating centrally in Slot-esque fashion. His off-the-ball movement, particularly in blindside runs behind full-backs, is reminiscent once again the profile of a young Sadio Mané.
Sky Sports France has claimed that Liverpool view Fofana as a possible replacement for Federico Chiesa, who was restricted to just 14 appearances for the Reds during the last season.
According to reporter Miguel Delaney, Lyon will not let Fofana go for cheap but substantially lower than Gordon or Rodrygo.
“Lyon have set a price of at least £51.5m (€60m). All of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham and Nottingham Forest are in contact about the Belgian international, to go with Bayern Munich, Leipzig and Napoli in Europe.
Any deal is still some way off, due to the extent of interest, with Lyon hoping to drive the price up.”
Slot has a history of developing wide attackers from Luis Sinisterra to Igor Paixão, and Fofana could be next.
Arne Slot’s system demands more structure, more control, and more calculated risk. That’s reflected in the club’s transfer moves so far. Georgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman provide depth in goal, Milos Kerkez offers attacking thrust at left-back, and Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong bring technical quality and flexibility.
Liverpool are no longer just reacting to situations. They’re curating a squad that aligns with a new footballing identity Slot has already shown can deliver results. Now, the club must ensure he has the right tools to continue building a legacy and fill the gaps for who departs to continue their success for silverware.
