A Definitive 'No' from Liverpool for Luis Diaz Amid Saudi Interest

The Reds Respond to Al Hilal’s Interest

As per the latest revelations from The Athletic, Liverpool are firmly planning to rebuff any prospective offers for Luis Diaz, despite the firm interest displayed by Al Hilal, the Saudi Arabian football powerhouse.

Prepared to part with a tidy sum of €50 million (£43.3m, $56.2m) for the wing wizard, Al Hilal’s attention comes as no surprise. After all, Diaz has only been a part of the Reds’ setup for a mere 18 months, yet has made his mark indelibly.

An Integral Element of Jurgen Klopp’s Vision

Far from considering a sale, Liverpool has no inclination to part ways with this linchpin of their attacking ensemble. Furthermore, no signals have emerged from the 26-year-old Colombian’s camp suggesting any eagerness for the potential move.

The 2022-23 season may have seen Diaz’s momentum disrupted by injuries, but Jurgen Klopp clearly envisages him as a vital cog in Liverpool’s plan to rally back. This is further emphasised by the club’s decision to hand him the esteemed No 7 shirt this summer.

And while Al Hilal may be willing to part with €50m, Liverpool’s estimation of Diaz’s worth far exceeds this. After all, they themselves parted with £50m to secure his signature from Porto back in January 2021.

Saudi League Eyes More Liverpool Talent

Diaz isn’t the only one in Liverpool’s ranks to have caught the attention of Saudi League teams. Fabinho has already been the subject of a £40m bid from Al Ittihad, while Jordan Henderson is reported to have verbally consented to terms with Al Ettifaq.

While Fabinho was conspicuously absent from the Liverpool squad on their pre-season German journey, Henderson did accompany the team. Fabinho’s transfer negotiations have largely centred around payment structures, with an agreement expected imminently.

However, Henderson’s potential move to Al Ettifaq, managed by Steven Gerrard, seems less straightforward. Despite verbally agreeing to an impressive three-year contract worth nearly £700,000 per week, no understanding between the clubs has yet been reached. Moreover, the Liverpool hierarchy has strongly repudiated claims that Henderson, with two years remaining on his current deal, could either be allowed a free transfer or be sold for a paltry £10m. The Reds, in contrast, value Henderson at approximately £20m.