Liverpool are reportedly planning to sit down and hold showdown talks with Colombian attacker Luis Diaz when the summer transfer window rolls around.
The 28-year-old took his goals tally to 15 for the season in all competitions last weekend, netting the opener in the Reds' nervy 2-1 Premier League home victory over West Ham United.
Diaz and co are now just two wins away from a guaranteed Premier League title, which could even be clinched this Sunday if they get the better of Leicester City and Arsenal are beaten at Ipswich Town.
The former Porto man is expected to reprise his role on the left wing at the King Power Stadium, bidding to build on a praiseworthy record of 11 goals and seven assists from 31 Premier League matches in the current campaign.
However, his contract situation is one to watch, as his current terms expire in just over two years' time, and he has never signed an extension at Anfield since joining from Porto midway through the 2021-22 season.
Diaz, Liverpool to hold 'crunch talks' over future
© Imago
Now that Liverpool have tied down Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk - while also resigning themselves to losing Trent Alexander-Arnold - they can switch their focus to the players out of contract either next summer or the one after that.
Diaz falls into that category, and Football Insider now claims that Liverpool intend to hold crunch conversations with the South American over his future when the season draws to a close.
The two parties are said to have started discussions over his future, but those talks were placed on hold while sporting director Richard Hughes prioritised Salah and Van Dijk's situations.
However, a different report has claimed that Diaz wants a mammoth five-figure pay rise to stay at Liverpool, and the Reds would therefore be prepared to let him go for the right price.
The Premier League leaders are said to have slapped a £60m price tag on the head of the Colombia international, who has a total of 39 goals and 23 assists in 143 appearances for the Merseyside giants.
Diaz's possible destinations if he leaves Liverpool
© Imago
The Iberian Peninsula could be calling once again for the former Porto man if he and Liverpool go their separate ways, as Barcelona have long been credited with an interest in his services.
Whether La Blaugrana can afford a £60m outlay is another question entirely, though, and Diaz will certainly not be guaranteed regular game time at Camp Nou if Raphinha and Lamine Yamal can maintain their scintillating form.
Alternatively, Atletico Madrid have been tipped to make a move for the 28-year-old after ending their interest in another Liverpool attacker, but both they and Barca could face intense competition from the Saudi Pro League.
However, at 28 years old, Diaz still has a lot to offer in European football and is hitting form at just the right time ahead of a possible summer auction, either scoring or assisting in each of his last five Premier League appearances.
Ben Knapton
