£75m talent among three wingers Liverpool could replace Luis Diaz with after latest Fabrizio Romano update
03/22/2025 12:00 PM
The future of Luis Diaz at Liverpool is up in the air heading into the summer transfer window.
The Colombian has been a key player for Arne Slot this season at Anfield with the winger featuring in 42 games for the Reds, scoring 13 goals alongside five assists.
However, Diaz could leave Liverpool at the end of the season due to his contract expiring in 2027, and there are doubts over whether the Merseyside club will offer the player new terms after turning 28 this year.
Barcelona have held a long-term interest in Diaz and according to a new update from Fabrizio Romano, the Colombia international is on the Catalan club’s list for the summer.
“Luis Diaz is one of the three/four names on the shortlist at Barcelona for the summer transfer window,” Romano stated on his YouTube channel. “Nothing has been agreed and nothing has been discussed yet.”
“I’m told Barca have a very good relationship with people close to Luis Diaz. I am also told Diaz would be open to trying a new experience in Spain.”
With that in mind, here are three players RTK believe could replace Diaz at Anfield should the winger’s time at Liverpool come to an end this summer.
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Anthony Gordon
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon was a top target for Liverpool last summer and therefore, would be the realistic place for the Reds to start if they need to replace Diaz this summer.
The Englishman would be a like-for-like replacement for the Colombian as the left winger is very direct, has a high work rate and can play through the middle if needed.
Liverpool agreed to pay £75m for Gordon last summer and send Joe Gomez to Newcastle for £45m, which is a deal that could be put on the table again ahead of the new season.
The biggest concern with Gordon would be his output as the 24-year-old has produced just nine goals and six assists across 34 games throughout the 2024/25 campaign. They might increase with better players around him at Liverpool, which is what Slot would be banking on.
Nico Williams
Should Barcelona sign Diaz, that would free Liverpool to make a move for Athletic Club’s Nico Williams as the Catalan club is believed to be the Spanish star’s preferred destination if he is to leave Bilbao this summer.
Liverpool have shown an interest in Williams in the past, with the Merseyside club having already held talks with the La Liga star’s agents over a move, therefore, the player’s representatives know that the Premier League leaders are interested.
A deal for Williams is likely to cost around £49m (€58m) as that is the release clause in his current contract at Athletic Club. That is a very fair price for the 22-year-old as the Euro 2024 winner has the potential to go on and become a superstar in European football.
The winger can play on either side, which will be very beneficial when Mohamed Salah goes to the Africa Cup of Nations, which only adds to the reasons why Liverpool should make a move for the La Liga talent during the upcoming transfer window.
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Xavi Simons
Liverpool have been linked with RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons this week as the Dutch star can be signed during the summer for a transfer fee of around £67m (€80m).
Simons is a player Liverpool have liked for a long time with journalist Yvonne Gabriel stating last summer that the Reds were "extremely keen on him" as there is a good connection to Reds boss Arne Slot.
The 21-year-old is not a natural winger and is normally deployed as a ten at Leipzig, however, his ability to do both is what differentiates him from other targets and his versatility would be very useful to Liverpool next season.
Simons has a lot going for him with the player being very talented, young, versatility and being the same nationally as Slot will also be a factor.
It remains to be seen if Diaz leaves Liverpool at the end of the season and if the Colombian does call time on his Anfield career, these three options would be great replacements.
