Liverpool intend to sit down and discuss a new contract with Colombian attacker Luis Diaz at the end of the season, according to a report.
The former Porto man marked his 100th English top-flight appearance in style last weekend, netting in the 5-1 battering of Tottenham Hotspur that clinched the Reds’ second Premier League title.
Diaz has now had a direct hand in 24 goals from 47 matches in all tournaments this season – 16 of his own and eight assists – while often being deployed in a makeshift striker role as well as his favoured left-wing slot.
However, the 28-year-old’s future has consistently been called into question in the current campaign, as he will be free to leave for nothing at the end of the 2026-27 season as things stand.
Diaz has never penned a contract extension at Anfield, meaning that he is still on the same terms he penned when he joined the club from Porto in January 2022, and his situation has understandably been lower down the priority list than Mohamed is wrong, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s.
Liverpool to open Diaz talks as ‘long-standing’ interest revealed
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Now that Van Dijk and Salah have committed the next two years of their careers to the club, and Alexander-Arnold is heading for Real Madrid, the Reds board can switch focus to players whose terms run out in 2026 or 2027.
According to Sky Sports NewsLiverpool seemingly want to keep Diaz at the club and plan to open discussions with his entourage over a contract renewal when the current campaign draws to a close.
The Premier League champions are determined to avoid another Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold-type situation with another key player, although it is not clear what Diaz’s stance is on a new contract.
The report adds that the Colombia international is a ‘long-standing’ target of Barcelona‘s, while the Saudi Pro League are also keeping a close eye on developments with a view to a possible summer swoop.
Diaz has contributed a total of 40 goals and 23 assists in 145 appearances for Liverpool since arriving from Porto just over three years ago, including 12 Premier League strikes in the current campaign.
Why keeping Diaz is a no-brainer for Liverpool
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Diaz blew extremely hot at the start of the season, slightly colder in the mid-point of the campaign and now hot again, either scoring or assisting in six of his last seven Premier League matches.
The 28-year-old’s willingness to do a job for the team in either the left-wing or number nine spot has been pivotal for Arne Slotwho has not been able to get the best out of Diogo Jota or Darwin Nunez this term.
At least one of the latter duo should leave this summer – if not both – and while the hierarchy are expected to pursue a new centre-forward to cover the losses, it makes little sense to weaken further by selling Diaz too.
The player’s will matters too of course, especially if he ends up being offered a life-changing amount of money by a Saudi Pro League club, but he should have no doubts about his standing in Slot’s team and can still earn a lucrative wage at Anfield.
Furthermore, Diaz would certainly not be guaranteed starts at Barcelona over Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowskiand there are few – if any – reasons for him to snub a new Liverpool deal from a sporting standpoint.
