Over the past few weeks, the Catalan media have repeatedly stated Liverpool’s Luis Díaz is the main target for Barcelona, with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford a back up option.
Last week, Athletic star Nico Williams’ agent met Deco in Barcelona. The local media have now been suggesting the 22-year-old could be a better option than Díaz, who is 28-years-old.
Journalist Albert Masnou, writing in his column for Tuesday’s edition of Sport, says ‘Luis Díaz, a €175m madness’.
The Liverpool player meets the sporting needs of Barcelona as he can operate on the left wing and as a No.9. Masnou says the operation is ‘financially reckless’ due to several factors.
The Colombia international has a contract lasting until 2028 and will turn 29-years-of-age in January. His age is the first factor.
The Reds are requesting €80m while the Catalan media insists Barca don’t want to pay more than €60m. If Barcelona decide to go ahead with the Liverpool attacker, Masnou believes the operation could be concluded for €75m plus bonuses.
Díaz managed 17 goals and eight assists from 50 games this season and it’s been his best season for Liverpool.
So, as well as the transfer fee, Hansi Flick’s side have to offer him a big salary, which could be around €15m per year for five years. The fee plus salary will cost around €150m, and the journalist claims it could rise to €175m with agent fees.
If Barcelona offer Díaz a five-year deal, he will turn 33-years-of-age when it expires. This means they won’t be able to recoup any of the investment they made to sign him.
Masnou, despite exaggerating these figures, insists Barcelona shouldn’t sign the South American.
He ends by stating: ‘Too many unknowns for an investment of this calibre, so Barca would do well to first look at the youth academy that is giving such good performance (Dani Rodríguez is waiting for his turn, Toni Fernández too) and then study the market with other less expensive or, at least, younger options.’
