Transfers

Liverpool certain who they will target if Luis Diaz leaves as £86m transfer backed beyond doubt

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Liverpool are shrewd operators in the transfer market and always have contingency plans in place.

The Reds have been making moves this summer to say the least and despite this, they are far from finished.

After they finalise the deal for Hugo Ekitike, their attention will very likely turn to sales, although that was supposed to be the case for quite a while, and many players could be swiftly moved out the Anfield door.

Luis Diaz is very likely to depart as he is open to a move away, with Bayern Munich his most likely destination after the German side have already tried and failed with a bid.

They are expected to try again, however, for the Colombian, and the next bid might just be the one that triggers a sale, although Liverpool might not be too bothered as they seem to already know who they will get as a replacement.

Rodrygo Goes of Real Madrid runs with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Athletic Bilbao at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images

Liverpool are certain they will replace Luis Diaz with Rodrygo

There is no doubt that Diaz is an excellent footballer and has just come off the back of his best season in a Liverpool shirt, but he is definitely replaceable.

In fact, the Reds seem to believe that they already have his perfect replacement in the form of Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, with the Brazilian expected to leave this summer.

L’Equipe have also reported that if Diaz were to depart, Rodrygo would “without a doubt” be the man to replace him.

Liverpool appear the favourites to sign the 24-year-old after Arsenal have all-but pulled out of the race, with Madrid wanting around £69m to let him go, not too much more than Diaz would probably be sold for.

READ MORE: Liverpool overlooked a worrying trend to sign Hugo Ekitike, now he must prove them right

Despite spending, what could be, up to £83m on Ekitike, the Reds still have plenty of money to spend and the project they are building is certainly an exciting one, hence why Rodrygo is ‘happy’ with the interest shown in him by Liverpool.

He also has the traits that Arne Slot looks for in a player, suggesting he will be a good fit all-round and perhaps even an upgrade on Diaz.

Rodrygo is the perfect Liverpool player

Although most probably do not watch much of the La Liga, Liverpool fans know all too well the quality the Brazilian possesses after facing him so many times in the Champions League.

He is very similar to Diaz in the way he moves with pace and trickery, although his end product is, arguably, a little bit more consistent.

Being four years Diaz’s junior is also hugely beneficial and Slot appears to be building not only a super team, but one to last, with all of their key signings 24 or younger.

It will also be a nice change to take one of Madrid’s players for once rather than the other way around, with this story certainly one to keep an eye on.