Barcelona is targeting a major signing in 2025, focusing on strengthening their left-wing position. Sporting director Deco has identified the left wing as an area where the team lacks depth, especially beyond Raphinha, who has impressed in his role despite his natural preference for playing on the right wing.
Deco’s preferred candidate to bolster Barcelona’s left flank is Luis Diaz, even though the Colombian winger has experienced a lackluster season in terms of goals, particularly considering that Liverpool has been one of the most prolific teams in the Premier League. Despite Diaz’s relatively underwhelming performances in front of goal, Deco remains confident that the player is a feasible acquisition for Barcelona this summer. According to reports from Sport, Deco believes that an agreement with Liverpool for Diaz could be reached in the upcoming transfer window.
Liverpool, however, would only entertain offers for Diaz in the range of €70-75 million, a fee that Barcelona may struggle to meet given their financial difficulties. To make this deal possible, the Catalan club would need to generate around €30 million in salary savings, as they continue to face intense scrutiny over their financial situation. Barcelona officials are optimistic about achieving this goal by selling a number of players during the summer transfer window. Some of the players who could be sold include Andreas Christensen, Alex Valle, and Eric Garcia. Furthermore, there is ongoing interest in offloading Ansu Fati, although the young forward rejected a potential move in the winter transfer window.
Despite the optimism about freeing up funds, the potential €70-75 million price tag for Diaz raises concerns. Given his underwhelming form this season, it is difficult to justify such a hefty investment in the player. While Liverpool’s attacking prowess as the top-scoring team in the Premier League makes it clear that Diaz is a talented player, his individual goal contribution this season has not been reflective of a player worth such an amount.
Barcelona’s financial issues add another layer of complexity to this deal, as they must carefully consider their spending. With financial constraints at the forefront, the club’s focus has been on trimming their squad and generating the necessary funds to secure a player like Diaz. While Deco is confident in the feasibility of the deal, the overall financial viability remains uncertain, especially with Barcelona’s current position in the market.
In conclusion, while Deco is keen to bring Luis Diaz to Barcelona in 2025, the financial reality of the deal is challenging. The club will need to sell players and make significant salary reductions to meet the financial requirements for the transfer. Furthermore, given Diaz’s dip in form, the €70-75 million fee could be seen as excessive, raising questions about the wisdom of such an investment in the context of Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles.