Barcelona Set Sights on Luis Díaz After Nico Williams Stays at Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona have shifted their attention to Liverpool winger Luis Díaz after missing out on top target Nico Williams, who has decided to stay at Athletic Bilbao.
According to Mick Brown, a former chief scout for Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, the Spanish club is expected to ramp up its efforts to sign the Colombian international in the coming weeks.
Williams had been Barcelona’s primary choice to strengthen the left wing, but his recent commitment to Bilbao has forced the Catalan club to look elsewhere.
Now, with Díaz viewed as a suitable alternative, Barcelona are preparing to make a serious move.
Liverpool are reportedly bracing for offers for Díaz, who has been an important player since joining from FC Porto.
Despite the growing interest, new Liverpool manager Arne Slot is not willing to let the 28-year-old leave easily.
Reports suggest that Slot is demanding a transfer fee of around £70 million, a figure that Barcelona previously balked at during earlier discussions.
Barcelona’s interest in Díaz remains strong, but the club’s ongoing financial difficulties could hinder a potential deal.
If Liverpool remain firm on their asking price, the transfer could fall through, as Barcelona may not be able to meet such a high valuation without selling key players first.
In anticipation of potential complications with Díaz’s transfer, Barcelona are also exploring other options for the left wing.
Mick Brown has indicated that Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford is one of the names being considered as a backup plan.
Rashford, who has had an inconsistent spell at United recently, may be available for the right offer, though any deal would also depend on financial terms.
In summary, Barcelona’s interest in reinforcing their attack has taken a new turn following Williams’ decision to stay in La Liga with Bilbao.
While Luis Díaz is now a top priority, negotiations with Liverpool could prove challenging due to the Premier League side’s firm stance on his value.
Should a deal for Díaz prove unattainable, Barcelona may be forced to look at alternative targets such as Rashford to fill the void on the left flank.
Leave a Reply