Transfer news journalist Ben Jacobs has recently provided clarity regarding the rumors connecting Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara to a potential move to Barcelona this summer. In his Daily Briefing column for CaughtOffside, Jacobs emphasized that there is little substance to these speculations.
Jacobs elucidated that Liverpool has no intention of parting ways with Diaz, highlighting that Barcelona’s current Financial Fair Play constraints would make it nearly impossible for the Spanish club to afford the Colombian international. He reassured Liverpool fans that Diaz remains a crucial player for the team, and they should not be overly concerned about the links to Barcelona. The notion of Diaz moving to Barcelona is more of a long-term aspiration rather than an immediate or likely possibility.
Regarding Thiago Alcantara, Jacobs pointed out that while the veteran midfielder may have an interest in staying in Europe once his contract with Liverpool concludes, he has not yet made any decisions about his next destination. Thiago, despite being linked with Barcelona, has not committed to any future plans beyond his current tenure with Liverpool.
Jacobs stated, “Liverpool want to keep Luis Diaz. He is contracted until 2027, and there are no plans to sell him this summer despite links to Barcelona. Diaz has expressed a desire to play in Spain one day, as his father mentioned recently, but that is a long-term goal. He has shown no intention to leave Liverpool now, and Barcelona can’t afford him without significant departures due to Financial Fair Play issues.”
The potential sales that Barcelona might need to consider to facilitate such a transfer were also mentioned by Jacobs. He highlighted that players like Jules Kounde and Raphinha could be sold, although neither seems eager to leave the club. Additionally, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo are other names that could potentially be watched for possible departures to balance the finances required for new signings.
Jacobs further elaborated on Thiago Alcantara’s situation by saying, “Thiago Alcantara is still considering his options after leaving Liverpool. His priority is to stay in Europe. Although Saudi dealmakers tried to secure a pre-contract with him in January, they couldn’t persuade him to join the Saudi Pro League. Barcelona has been linked with Thiago as well, but it’s too early to know his next move after leaving Liverpool.”
Overall, Jacobs’ insights paint a picture of stability regarding Luis Diaz’s immediate future at Liverpool, with the player remaining a central figure in the squad and no imminent plans for a transfer to Barcelona. Similarly, while Thiago Alcantara remains undecided about his next steps, his inclination to stay in Europe suggests that any move, including a potential return to Barcelona, is not imminent and remains speculative at best.