Barcelona sporting director Deco has addressed rumors linking the Catalan club with Luis Diaz again, admitting the Liverpool winger is admired at the Camp Nou.
Speculation over a potential move to the La Liga champion for Diaz has reemerged in recent days, with reports in Spain suggesting that Barcelona may now be back on the financial footing needed to make an offer.
The Colombian has been regularly linked with a move to the Camp Nou over the past year or so, and the latest reports claim that Barca will be able to spend the $97 million it expects will be enough to secure his signature.
And it would appear those reports may have some substance to them, with Diaz being directly named by Deco during a conversation on transfers.
Speaking to RAC1 (quotes relayed by Barca Blaugranes), the Barca transfer chief named both Diaz and Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford ahead of the summer transfer window opening.
“Talking about players who have contracts with other clubs is complicated out of respect,” Deco said.
“We like Luis, we like Rashford and we like other players. When we go to the market there are names that we know and that could improve the team.”
(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Deco though also appeared to play down expectations over transfers as he insisted Barcelona would be looking inwards before turning to the transfer market.
“Our big priority is to strengthen what we have at home, renewals of Pedri, Gavi, Araujo, Raphinha, Koundé,” Deco added.
“I understand that when people talk about signings they always think about players coming from abroad, but for me renewals are also signings. Lamine is the best signing in history.
“Then if the team can be improved. From what we’ve seen this season, we need a player with a different profile to what we have to help the strikers. Fermín has played as a winger and has done well. The composition of the squad also depends on the market.”
Learn more
As things stand, Diaz is one of a number of Liverpool players whose contract will expire in 2027, leaving the Reds with a big decision on whether to make an improved offer on the deal he signed when he joined the club in 2022 from Porto.
For his part, Diaz has indicated he would be keen to put pen to paper on a new deal at Anfield, with talks set to take place this summer.
“Since the first day I arrived, I’ve always been happy, calm, enjoying the football played at this great team,” Diaz told Colombian news outlet Telemundo Deportes earlier this month.
“We’ll be talking about it [about renewing], we’ll talk about it. For me, I’d stay however many years it takes.
“It also depends on the club, everything. These are details that are worked out separately. But I’m very calm, happy and enjoying the Premier League.”
