Barcelona are convinced about signing Athletic’s Nico Williams over Liverpool’s Luis Díaz this summer.
The La Liga winners have set a €60m limit to try and take the forward away from Anfield.
Wednesday’s edition of Sport points that out and states Liverpool have requested €80m for the 28-year-old.
They report the Reds are unwilling to lower their demand as Díaz is key part of Arne Slot’s plans. There’s a €20m difference between the two clubs and this makes it impossible for Barcelona to sign him unless something changes. The former FC Porto star would be key for negotiations and has to put pressure on Liverpool if he wants to join Barcelona.
Over at Mundo Deportivo, they report Williams is the first choice for Barcelona, ahead of the Colombia international.
Williams, 22, is younger and will cost [€62m] less than the Liverpool man. Barca can offer a long-term deal to the Spain international and spread the payment across the length of the contract. On the other hand, Barca would only offer Díaz a three or four-year contract.
Mundo state Hansi Flick’s side are now starting to ‘lose patience’ with the South American.
Three weeks ago, Barca president Joan Laporta and sporting director, Deco, had a plan for the player to put pressure on Liverpool, via his agent. This was needed to bring the price down to €60m.
On June 5th, Díaz publicly stated he’s in talks with other clubs and didn’t rule out signing an extension. Since then, he hasn’t put ‘any significant pressure’ on the Merseyside club.
Mundo state: ‘His agent maintained a contemplative attitude, arguing that the summer and the transfer window are long.’
This has ‘upset’ Barca, who wanted to a quick outcome, to avoid a soap opera. They are looking at Williams, who has overtaken Díaz in Barcelona’s priority target list.
