Liverpool’s Luis Díaz has been advised to follow former Leeds United star Raphinha to join Barcelona in the summer window.
That’s according to Wednesday’s edition of Sport, who state Díaz has to make an effort to leave Liverpool for Barcelona.
The Brazil international spent two years at Leeds United before arriving at the Camp Nou in July 2022. Prior to his move to Barcelona, Chelsea and Liverpool were among the clubs to show interest in him.
Sport say Leeds even reached an agreement with Chelsea, but 28-year-old Raphinha was determined to join Barcelona. It was at a time when the Catalan club were going through a difficult financial situation and had to activate levers.
The La Liga winners plan to return to the Premier League, this time for the Liverpool star. The Catalan newspaper has urged him to use Leeds selling Raphinha to Barcelona as an example to leave the Reds.
His contract lasts until 2027 and Arne Slot’s side have offered a two-year extension with an improved salary. Five days ago, Sport reported the 28-year-old Colombia international has postponed renewal talks until July.
The newspaper now points that out and states it’s the first step that needs to be appreciated by Barcelona. They will only find out in July if they can afford Díaz’s €85m asking price.
Raphinha had a disagreement with Leeds after Barcelona tabled the first offer. If not for his determination, he wouldn’t have arrived at the Camp Nou.
Sport end their report by stating: ‘Experience shows that it’s not easy to leave Anfield, as another Barca administration found with Philippe Coutinho. The Colombian, like Raphinha, was a Barca fan growing up. Perhaps he’ll have to prove it with actions to get on a train that sometimes only passes once. And this desire to play at the Spotify Camp Nou is a determining factor.”
