Luis Diaz responds to the Barcelona and PSG transfer claims 

Luis Diaz has been linked with transfers to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain this summer, and the Liverpool winger has now responded to reports that he could depart.

Diaz is attracting interest from Spain and France as the transfer window approaches, with speculation that if the club sells one of their forwards, it will be the No. 7.

There have been no actual developments, and the situation is still entirely hypothetical.

Nonetheless, in April, Colombian writer Pipe Sierra believed PSG’s interest was “real,” confirming a Telegraph report that Liverpool would want a transfer of roughly £75 million.

Despite PSG’s anticipated search for a new forward following Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid, Diaz claims he is “very happy” at Anfield.

“I am very happy here in Liverpool, it is a great team and club,” he told Gol Caracol after Colombia’s 5-1 victory over the United States.

“I’ve always wanted to play there, so I’m extremely delighted and relaxed.

“I’m not thinking about anything else, I’m thinking about the Colombian national team, which is where we are.”

The notion is that if Diaz leaves, it will most likely be because Liverpool accepted an offer for him.

Despite his father’s repeated suggestions that he move to Spain, the athlete has shown no indication that he will pursue the move.

In fact, Sierra said in April that Liverpool was willing to offer Diaz a better contract to safeguard his value and stave off interest from PSG.

Diaz’s current contract extends until 2027, but his place in the team has been secure since his arrival from Porto two and a half years ago, with the club normally rewarding a player’s development with a wage increase.

Mac Allister is also “very delighted”.

The 27-year-old is not the first Liverpool player to deny reports of a move elsewhere this summer, with Alexis MacAllister also dismissing Real Madrid rumours.

“I’m not talking about assumptions, I’m very happy with Liverpool,” he told ESPN last month.

“I think it was a good season individually, then we had some objectives that we couldn’t meet, but even so I think it was a very good season.”

More news……

Liverpool tour plans in full, pre-season dates, and when Arne Slot may be presented

Arne Slot took over as Liverpool’s head coach on June 1, and pre-season activities are already underway. More appointments are needed in the coming weeks.

Liverpool has moved on from Jurgen Klopp to Arne Slot. While we have yet to hear from the Dutchman during his time at Anfield, the Reds are busy behind the scenes preparing for pre-season.

The European Championship and Copa America will cause disruptions as players return from international competition. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alexis MacAllister, for example, will return late for preseason, with their countries expected to advance in the tournaments in which they compete.

The first of the Liverpool players will return in around a month. Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, who are anticipated to be left out of England’s European Championship squad, could be among those to make an immediate impact under their new manager.

The remaining players’ return dates will be virtually entirely determined by when their respective countries are eliminated from the tournaments in which they are competing. After that, they will have a break before rejoining the group, but with a new manager to impress, they will be eager to get started.

According to The Athletic, Slot’s introduction was ‘always planned’ to take place closer to the start of pre-season rather than when he arrived. That makes sense given that Slot currently has no players to work with; any work done now will focus on preparation for the future season and beyond.

During preseason in the United States, the Reds will face Real Betis, Manchester United, and Arsenal. It remains to be seen whether more friendly will be scheduled, although there are only about four weeks between the conclusion of the European Championship and Copa America and the start of the new Premier League season.

Liverpool.com says: Slot’s arrival, once he gets to work with his new players, will be quite exciting. As he stamps his own mark on things, there will be new methods of playing to adapt to, as well as a new pecking order in some places.

The Dutchman will need to incorporate some of Klopp’s ideas, but he must also be himself. His football technique is similar, but he will need to let his personality shine through.