Liverpool are reportedly running out of patience with one of their first-team attackers as their Premier League title fight ends with a whimper.
The 2023-24 season has been one of on-field and off-field turmoil for Colombian attacker Luis Diaz, whose parents were kidnapped in a terrifying ordeal last autumn.
The winger's parents were eventually rescued, and after a brief absence from the team, the former Porto man has now returned to being a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp's starting lineup.
A relatively productive season has seen Diaz come up with 13 goals and five assists in 48 matches, and despite the Reds' 2-0 loss to Merseyside rivals Everton in midweek, he was praised for his lively performance.
The 27-year-old also set up Andrew Robertson's strike in Saturday's 2-2 draw with West Ham United, where he was the only attacker to hold his place as Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez dropped to the bench.
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Barcelona handed boost in Diaz pursuit?
Diaz has been named in the first XI in 29 of Liverpool's 35 Premier League games this season, but despite being a regular fixture in the Reds' XI, his future is clouded in uncertainty.
The attacker's Anfield contract runs for another three seasons, but no talks over an extension are believed to be ongoing, so a sale could supposedly be considered in the summer window.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have both been credited with an interest in Diaz, and according to Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool are now 'losing patience' with the Colombia international.
Diaz is thought to be one of three names on the Barcelona shortlist for a new winger this summer, when Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli will also be targeted.
A move for Martinelli is considered unrealistic, though, and Liverpool will supposedly still ask for at least £100m to let Diaz depart after two-and-a-half years at the club.
Salah to follow Diaz out of exit door?
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Liverpool agreed a total package of £50m with Porto for Diaz's arrival in January 2022, and the South American has 24 goals and 13 assists to show from 95 matches in a Reds jersey, winning the EFL Cup, Community Shield and FA Cup in that time.
Diaz could be one of two high-profile wingers to head for the Liverpool exit door this summer, though, as Salah's time at Anfield could very well be coming to an acrimonious end.
The Egypt international is out of contract in just over 12 months' time and verbally clashed with head coach Klopp in Saturday's draw with West Ham, where Nunez and Joe Gomez had to step in.
Klopp affirmed after the game that the matter was dealt with, but Salah curiously stated that there would be "fire" if he spoke of the incident as he made his way through the mixed zone.
Clubs from Saudi Arabia are expected to come in for Salah's signature this summer, where Feyenoord's Arne Slot will take the reins from Klopp, whose glittering reign will seemingly not have a fairytale ending.
Ben Knapton
