Everyone at Football FanCast is devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to their friends, families, teammates and loved ones.
This is no longer hearsay, nor is it a twisted narrative that inevitably springs from the gnarled mass of rumour during the summer transfer window. Luis Diaz is in talks to leave Liverpool; he’s said so himself.
The Colombian winger, 28, has admitted that negotiations with potential suitors are ongoing, with suitors such as Barcelona and Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. BILD in Germany have also reported that personal terms have been agreed with Bayern Munich.
Despite Liverpool’s earlier stance in the window that Diaz would be going nowhere after his central role in Arne Slot’s incredible Premier League triumph, money talks, and the South American is frustrated that he earns a comparatively modest salary at £55k per week as he enters the next-to-last year of his deal.
Liverpool will need a replacement, of course, but they already have Cody Gakpo performing admirably on the attacking left flank, and they’ve signed Florian Wirtz for a British-record £116m fee too.
Why Liverpool signed Florian Wirtz
While Liverpool’s attacking midfield zone is occupied by two talented players in Dominik Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott (who has been heavily linked with a summer transfer away from Anfield), Wirtz adds a different brand of attacking quality.
Aged 22, the German international claimed the Bundesliga Player of the Year in 2023/24 as he helped Bayer Leverkusen toward the title as invincibles, also winning the DFB-Pokal. He’s been described as a “generational talent” by sports media professional Cristian Nyari.
Typically found in a thrusting central berth, Wirtz’s artsy dribbling skills and creative intelligence suggest he could be a great fit for Diaz’s role on the left, when Gakpo’s not playing.
But Liverpool need an out-and-out wideman to replace the Colombian, should he go.
Wirtz’s surpassing creativity is a world-class thing. It should, even, be enough to lift Darwin Nunez’s game, but Liverpool’s record centre-forward has had ample chance to prove himself, and, if Italian outlet Di Marzio are to be believed, an official bid has been tabled worth £47.5m. It’s been rejected, but discussions are ongoing.
If both Nunez and Diaz go, Liverpool might even be able to dip into the transfer market and sign one of the finest widemen in the business.
Liverpool enter talks for Diaz heir
According to TBR Football, Liverpool are among the host of top-level European clubs to have been in contact with Real Madrid star Rodrygo’s camp as the superstar moves inexorably toward a summer transfer.
Rodrygo’s peripheral role at the Club World Cup and recent rumours that Xabi Alonso is planning to convert the young and talented Endrick into a wide forward suggest that the Brazilian will soon be on the move.
Arsenal and Manchester City are both in the race, as are continental outfits such as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Los Blancos are seeking a £75m fee if they are to part ways
The Brazil international needs to leave the Spanish capital if he’s to resurrect his name as one of the very best in the business.
Why Liverpool want Rodrygo
The 2024/25 campaign left plenty to be desired for Rodrygo, who is considered a “world-class superstar” by former teammate Luka Modric, but has been questing for a role befitting such talent and reputation, consistently placed on the right flank, an unfavoured position.
It should be noted that Rodrygo did not have a good season, not by his lofty standards. However, those rare occasions that saw him placed on the left yielded the richest fruits, having scored six goals and supplied six assists across only 12 outings.
And even without the acknowledgement of positional value, and how that would be better applied on Merseyside, Rodrygo has always retained a sense of underlying quality.
Ranked among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for pass completion, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 14% for touches per 90, as per FBref, Rodrygo has illustrated his willingness to be in the thick of the action, make things happen through athleticism and indeed retain possession confidently. Slot will love that.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
He’s also a maverick in the Champions League, so often reserving his finest performances for Europe’s elite stage.
This thrilling acquisition would rival the furore that surrounded Wirtz’s posting to Anfield last month, for this is one of the most talented forwards in the world, inhibited by Real Madrid’s sweep of attacking options but undoubtedly capable of proving his world-class level when required.
Indeed, he’s played a starring role for the Spanish giants across so many years, leaving his Brazilian homeland to join the prestigious institution for around £40m back in 2019.
24/25
54 (39)
14
11
23/24
57 (43)
17
9
22/23
57 (41)
19
11
21/22
49 (25)
9
9
20/21
33 (13)
2
8
19/20
26 (16)
7
3
Rodrygo has still played an important role over the past year for Real, but it’s worth noting he only started 22 La Liga games in 2024/25, and blanked for both goals and assists across his past 12 league fixtures.
He only missed one big chance, though, as per Sofascore, and that illustrates the kind of finishing ability Slot would be able to work with.
Without a doubt, this could be a stunning signing for the Reds, one which could carry all the excitement of last month’s arrival of Wirtz.
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1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 8, 2025