Liverpool have reportedly slapped a staggering nine-figure price tag on the head of Luis Diaz amid interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite his status as Jurgen Klopp's first-choice left-winger and his long-running contract at Anfield until the summer of 2027, the Colombian's future on Merseyside is being called into serious question.
Two-and-a-half years on from his arrival from Porto in the January 2022 window, no talks are believed to be ongoing to prolong his terms, and a sale could apparently be considered this summer if the two parties decide against an extension.
La Liga champions Barcelona and Ligue 1 champions-elect PSG are both said to be casting a watchful eye over the situation, but the two clubs could supposedly be quoted a monumental asking price.
According to Colombian outlet El Heraldo - via the Liverpool Echo - the Reds are prepared to demand at least £102m and potentially as much as £123m to let Diaz depart in the upcoming window.
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Diaz 'pushing' for Barcelona move
Such a fee would represent Liverpool's second-most expensive sale of all time, only behind the total £142m package that Barcelona agreed for Philippe Coutinho in the winter of 2018.
Six years later, the Catalan giants are still strapped for cash and could not fork out such a fee, although Diaz is believed to be ready to leave Liverpool in order to push through a move to Barcelona.
Alternatively, PSG - assuming they can remain on the right side of Financial Fair Play - would be able to bow to Liverpool's demands, especially with Kylian Mbappe's imminent exit freeing up over £170m in yearly wages.
Despite a traumatic family ordeal earlier in the season, where his parents were kidnapped in their native Colombia, Diaz has enjoyed a productive campaign with 13 goals and four assists in 46 games in all tournaments.
The 27-year-old boasts an overall total of 24 goals and 12 assists in 93 matches for the Reds over the past two-and-a-half years, winning the FA Cup, two EFL Cups and the Community Shield in the process.
Which wingers could Liverpool target to replace Diaz?
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Diaz might not be the only celebrated Liverpool winger to seek pastures new this summer, as Mohamed Salah is yet to extend his Reds contract beyond 2025 and remains a top target for teams in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the presence of Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota - statistically the best finisher at the club - and the return of Fabio Carvalho from his successful Hull City loan, at least one new wide man should be pursued if Diaz and/or Salah depart.
Leeds United's Crysencio Summerville has apparently garnered interest from the Merseyside giants, although Arsenal and Chelsea are also monitoring the 2023-24 Championship Player of the Season.
Liverpool have long been linked with a swoop for Juventus' Federico Chiesa too, and as is the case with Salah, the Euro 2020 winner will become a free agent in 2025 as things stand.
West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus and Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush represent two other supposed targets for Liverpool, who face Everton in a Premier League Merseyside derby on Wednesday night.
Ben Knapton
