Ornstein: Man City & Barcelona Keen on Another Liverpool Contract Stalemate
Man City and Barcelona Maintain Interest in Díaz
Luis Díaz remains a key figure for Liverpool, yet speculation over his future refuses to fade. Both Barcelona and Manchester City have long been credited with an interest in the Colombian international, and recent reports suggest that their admiration is more than just passing.
Last summer, there were strong indications that both clubs made attempts to secure Díaz’s signature, but he ultimately stayed put at Anfield. Since then, he has remained a crucial player under Jürgen Klopp’s successor, but whispers of a potential exit persist—particularly from Spain.
Barcelona’s Pursuit of Díaz Resurfaces
The links between Barcelona and Díaz are nothing new. Reports from Colombia in December claimed that the winger was open to the idea of moving to the La Liga giants. Now, further confirmation of the Catalan club’s sustained interest has emerged.
Responding to a question about Díaz’s contract situation, an David Ornstein in The Athletic stated:
“Still no sign of a new contract, which is unusual for such a prominent player who has been at Anfield for as long as Díaz. Barcelona have long been linked with him; their admiration is genuine.
“There was definitely something in the Manchester City reports last summer, too. If he is available, there will be many suitors. Amid all the focus on Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, this is one of the lesser-mentioned unknowns at Anfield, but still hugely important.
“As we know, Liverpool looked at Anthony Gordon before the June 30 PSR deadline, but I don’t know if that will be revisited. They will naturally have a number of other options, too, if something needs to be activated.”
Barcelona’s admiration for the 28-year-old dates back to before his Liverpool move. Club president Joan Laporta revealed in November 2023 that the Blaugrana had attempted to sign Díaz before his transfer to Merseyside:
“At the time (January 2022), we had just arrived at the club, and Liverpool beat us to it.
“We were considering his incorporation, but we were facing an economic situation that we had to resolve and reverse.”
Sporting director Deco is also believed to be an admirer, with Díaz’s father previously revealing:
“It is true that Luis is a loyal Barcelona fan and it would be his dream to go there.”
Man City’s Interest Still Relevant
Although Barcelona’s links are the most persistent, Manchester City are also keeping a close watch on Díaz. Reports last summer suggested Pep Guardiola’s side had made an approach, and while nothing materialised, interest from the Etihad should not be dismissed.
With uncertainty surrounding key Liverpool players such as Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold, Díaz’s future has become a subplot worth monitoring. His contract situation remains unresolved, and if Liverpool are unable to secure an extension, both Barcelona and Manchester City could be poised to make their moves.
Luis Díaz’s statistical profile over the last 365 days provides a compelling insight into his strengths and weaknesses as a forward. The radar chart visualises his performance metrics compared to other forwards, covering attacking, possession, and defensive contributions.
Attacking Output
Díaz excels in creative and goal-threatening areas, ranking in the 99th percentile for shot-creating actions, underlining his elite ability to generate chances for himself and teammates. His expected assisted goals (xAG) is in the 90th percentile, suggesting he contributes significantly to build-up play and final passes leading to shots. While his assists (65th percentile) and expected goal contributions (npxG + xAG at 65th percentile) are above average, his non-penalty xG (50th percentile) and actual non-penalty goals (51st percentile) indicate room for improvement in finishing.
Possession and Progression
Díaz is highly influential in progressing the ball, ranking 98th percentile for progressive passes received and 96th percentile for progressive carries, showing how often he moves the ball into dangerous areas. His pass completion rate (99th percentile) and passes attempted (96th percentile) reflect his efficiency in possession, ensuring his team maintains control. He also rates highly for progressive passes (95th percentile) and successful take-ons (98th percentile), making him a significant dribbling and ball-progression threat.
Defensive Contributions
Defensively, Díaz does not contribute as significantly, which is typical for an attacking winger. His clearances (5th percentile) and blocks (13th percentile) are minimal. However, he has a strong 94th percentile rating for tackles and interceptions, showing he applies pressure when needed. His aerial duel success (36th percentile) is below average, likely due to his physical attributes rather than effort.
Overall Assessment
Díaz’s profile suggests he is a dynamic forward excelling in creative play and ball progression. While he is not the most clinical finisher, his high shot-creation, dribbling ability, and passing efficiency make him a crucial asset. His defensive work rate is moderate, with strong pressing contributions but limited effectiveness in aerial and deeper defensive areas. This combination of attributes explains why clubs like Barcelona and Manchester City are keen on securing his services.
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