Atletico Madrid have emerged as possible suitors for Liverpool attacker Luis Diaz following the denial of their supposed interest in Darwin Nunez, according to a report.
Earlier this week, it was claimed that the misfiring Nunez was of 'great admiration' to Rojiblancos boss Diego Simeone, who was keen to strike a deal for the Uruguayan this summer.
Those rumours were shot down by Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin, who flat out denied that his side were interested in Nunez and also played down talk of a new striker arriving entirely.
However, both Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa are due to become free agents at the end of next season, so it would not be a complete surprise to see Atletico U-turn on their attacker stance.
While the Rojiblancos might not have any interest in signing Nunez, Fichajes claims that the La Liga title-chasers have now made Diaz one of their prime targets for the summer window.
Diaz identified as 'big bet' for Atletico amid Liverpool uncertainty
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The Colombia international has been a key player for Arne Slot this season and has had a direct hand in 17 goals from 38 appearances in all competitions this season, 13 of his own and four assists.
Diaz has been deployed both on the left wing and as a central striker under the Dutchman in 2024-25, but after an explosive start to the campaign, his productivity has gone down as the season has gone on.
The 28-year-old has managed just one goal and one assist from his last 10 Premier League games and is yet to sign an extension on his original five-and-a-half-year deal that he penned upon his arrival from Porto in January 2022.
Diaz will therefore have just two years left on his Anfield agreement by the time the summer rolls around, and the Premier League leaders have seemingly made no headway in talks over an extension.
How much do Liverpool want for Diaz?
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While Diaz would not be a like-for-like replacement for Griezmann at Atletico, Simeone reportedly admires the South American's versatility and 'unbalanced' nature, which would make him an ideal fit for his system.
As Liverpool are struggling to agree an extension with Diaz's camp, the report claims that the Reds are prepared to listen to offers ranging from €60m (£49.5m) to €70m (£57.8m) in the summer window.
Whether Atletico are prepared to meet the Reds' demands for Diaz - also rumoured to be on Barcelona's radar - remains to be seen, but Griezmann's possible exit would free up space on the wage bill.
Liverpool paid Porto €53m (£43.8m) to sign Diaz midway through the 2021-22 season, and the Colombia international has totalled 37 goals and 17 assists from 136 appearances for the Merseyside giants.
Owing to the Reds' shock FA Cup exit to Plymouth Argyle, Diaz will enjoy a rare weekend off before Liverpool face Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday.
Ben Knapton
