Six-man shortlist to REPLACE Luis Diaz

Liverpool look set to be active in the upcoming transfer window. There are question marks over several star names, with it being speculated that a clearout is on the cards.

If Liverpool succeed in generating significant transfer income then Arne Slot and Richard Hughes will be hoping to use that cash on upgrades.

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One player widely tipped to leave is Luis Diaz. The Colombian winger transferred from Porto in January 2022 for around £37.5 million, going on to claim domestic glory in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and the Premier League.

This season he has scored 12 goals in the top flight, quashing doubts over his end product.

But there is an overhanging contract issue with the 28-year-old. He remains on the same contract he signed back in 2022 and there have been no indications of a renewal.

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The latest reports in Colombia would suggest Diaz wants to jump from £55,000 per week to around £150,000 per week - trebling his wages.

With his contract expiring in 2027, FSG have got to make a quick decision over what they want to do with Diaz or else risk losing him on the cheap.

If they succeed in getting bids in for Diaz this summer then he could earn the club up to £80m. That would be very useful for reinvesting in another left-wing option.

But who are the contenders to replace Diaz should it come to pass that he leaves? Here we run through the candidates.

Antoine Semenyo

Liverpool recruiters will have had their eye on the Bournemouth winger for a while now with Richard Hughes having signed the Ghana international during his time as technical director on the south coast.

The 25-year-old came in from Bristol City in January 2023 for around £10m but Bournemouth are looking for around £70m to let him go.

A rare talent who can play either side of the attack, Semenyo has scored nine Premier League goals this season and added four assists.

He ranks highly for successful dribbles, touches in the opposition box - and - crucially - possessions won in the final third.

Anthony Gordon

Anthony Gordon could and maybe should have been a Liverpool player by now. He was discarded by the club’s academy when he was a child, ending up at Everton and later Newcastle.

And last summer he came very close to swapping St. James’ Park for Anfield. Newcastle had PSR difficulties to navigate and were willing to exchange the 24-year-old for a fee plus Jarell Quansah. But that wasn’t to the Reds’ liking.

He stayed and signed a new contract, meaning prising him out of the North East would take a lot more money these days. Sill, the England international would be welcome back on Merseyside any time should a deal get done.

Eberechi Eze

The 26-year-old dribbling specialist has got eight assists for Crystal Palace in the league this season but only four goals off an expected goals [xG] total of more than eight.

He therefore needs to improve his efficiency in front of goal to take him to the next level. That said he does have fans inside Anfield; this isn’t the first time he’s been linked.

The club’s interest stretches back to Jurgen Klopp’s days. Age-wise and price-wise, he probably won’t make it into the shakeup this time around however. Tied to Palace until 2027, it could take £60m or more to move him.

Xavi Simons

Not quite a winger in the traditional sense, Xavi Simons is more of an attacking midfielder who plays from the left. He only joined RB Leipzig on a permanent deal in January but the German side are expected to ship him out for a quick profit.

The 22-year-old could cost in excess of €70m and has admirers all across the Premier League. He is another one long linked to Liverpool and has got nine Bundesliga goals - and five assists - this season.

There are doubts over his pressing game and suitability for Arne Slot.

Jamie Gittens

The 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund wideman is a confirmed Liverpool target and could well be available this summer as his club seek to make up for lost Champions League revenues in the transfer market.

He’s got eight league goals this season - and four more in the Champions League, leading to links with several of Europe’s top clubs.

An outstanding ball-carrier, he ranks among the elite for successful dribbles this season (77). He is available for €50m, according to reports, and he could be the most intriguing name on the list.

Eliesse Ben Seghir

Monaco forward Eliesse Ben Seghir has been a consistent performer for his club this season, ranking among the best in Europe’s top five leagues in counterpressing.

He has also managed to be creative, scoring six times and adding three assists. He feels like more of a work in progress than others on this list, best reflected in his reported asking price of €30m.

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Manchester City are also reported to be courting the Morocco international - who was a Bronze Medallist for his country at the Paris Olympics.