Tag: Dani Olmo

  • The £48 million transfer decision made by Barcelona fully clarifies Luis Diaz’s future with Liverpool

    The £48 million transfer decision made by Barcelona fully clarifies Luis Diaz’s future with Liverpool

    The £48 million transfer decision made by Barcelona fully clarifies Luis Diaz's future with Liverpool

    Luis Diaz, a standout for Liverpool, has been linked to a lucrative summer transfer to Barcelona, and it looks like the Spanish powerhouse has finally made up its mind to pursue the Colombian.

    After ultimately deciding to make a bid for Dani Olmo, Barcelona decided to keep Luis Diaz with Liverpool.

    The Colombian winger for the Reds was rumoured to be interested in moving to Spain and was connected to a summer transfer to Catalonia. However, it appears like Diaz’s destiny has been determined, which will be extremely beneficial to Liverpool and their new manager Arne Slot.

    In January 2022, the 27-year-old winger left Porto to sign with Liverpool. Since then, he has made 98 Reds appearances and netted 24 goals in all competitions. Diaz’s contract at Anfield has three years remaining on it.

    Barcelona has not made Diaz a top priority this summer, and they are about to finalise a £48 million deal for Dani Olmo, a star player for Spain who plays for RB Leipzig.

    “You learn more and more to be a professional, to be a better person, to be a good teammate and a good guy,” Diaz stated in May while discussing his future at Liverpool. To be honest, I’m thrilled to be here. I’m confident that the club will have many more successful years to come.

    As for me, I’ll always strive to give it my all, to always stand out on the pitch because that’s what I came [here] to accomplish. I always give thanks to God for all of my blessings.”

    A transfer to Barcelona would be the Liverpool star’s “dream,” according to Diaz’s father, who made the admission last year. “To be honest, I don’t know much about Barcelona right now,” said Diaz Sr.

    The £48 million transfer decision made by Barcelona fully clarifies Luis Diaz's future with Liverpool

    It’s true that Luis adores Barcelona, and visiting the city is his dream. I want to express my gratitude to Porto and Liverpool for their kind reception and welcome of him thus far.

    “Thank God, Luis is a very disciplined player who is easy to like and respect because of the way he is, his work ethic, humility, and determination. Since Barcelona is a premier team and among the greatest in the world, there would be no issues if Luis joined.

    Slot will have to choose between Diaz and other members of his team if he stays put. Following his impressive preseason, Bobby Clarke and Tyler Morton may be loaned out this season. Fabio Carvalho has been linked to both newly promoted Leicester and Southampton, who had a £15 million bid turned down.

  • Signings like Dani Olmo, Mo Salah, and Arne Slot alterations: Liverpool’s fantasy month ahead of the new season

    Signings like Dani Olmo, Mo Salah, and Arne Slot alterations: Liverpool’s fantasy month ahead of the new season

    Signings like Dani Olmo, Mo Salah, and Arne Slot alterations: Liverpool's fantasy month ahead of the new season

    After succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, Arne Slot has evaluated his team in preparation for his debut Premier League season, and Liverpool has not added any new players this summer.

    Liverpool’s Premier League campaign kicks off in a month when they travel to Portman Road to take on newly promoted Ipswich Town.

    For the first time since 2016, the Reds will start 2024–25 with a new manager in Arne Slot, replacing Jurgen Klopp. Starting in early June, the former Feyenoord coach will have to deal with his players’ phased return after Euro 2024 and the Copa America.

    Even if Klopp has given his blessing, Slot will still be under a lot of pressure to start out strong as he follows in his footsteps. Prior to the season, Slot will be seeing his players for the first time, so he needs to make a good first impression and spell out his game plan.

    The Reds still haven’t signed their new manager’s first summer acquisition. In the next weeks, Michael Edwards and Julian Ward will be hard at work trying to reverse that circumstance so Liverpool can get off to a strong start to the season. Mirror Football looks at what might be in store for Slot and his team going forward.

    Pre-season fixtures

    27. July: Liverpool v Real Betis at Acrisure Stadium, in Pittsburgh (00:30)

    1 August: Liverpool v Arsenal, at Lincoln Financial Field, in Philadelphia (00:30)

    4 August: Liverpool v Manchester United, at Brice Stadium, in Columbia (00:30)

    11 August: Liverpool v Sevilla, Anfield (15:00)

    Contractual judgements It is hard to argue that Klopp’s exit does not signal the start of a new era at Liverpool. After his predecessor’s retirement, Slot has been left in a strong position, however it’s unclear if a form of makeover will be necessary.

    Three of the most important players in Liverpool’s recent success—Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk—are currently in their final year of contracts. Getting new contracts for each would facilitate the transfer and stop constant speculation about their fate during Slot’s press briefings.

    Alexander-Arnold should not be sold, and new contracts for his more experienced teammates should at least guarantee a future pay for their services. After Liverpool rejected a huge offer for Salah last summer, he has been frequently linked to a move to the Saudi Pro League. The Reds would benefit from solidifying their position.

    Transfer

    Signings like Dani Olmo, Mo Salah, and Arne Slot alterations: Liverpool's fantasy month ahead of the new season

    Given Joel Matip’s departure and Van Dijk’s delicate predicament right now, Liverpool needs a new central defender in their lineup. With the availability of Jarrel Quansah and Ibrahima Konate in addition to the adaptable Joe Gomez, it is a strong position in many respects.

    It would be wise to include someone like Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace. The Chelsea academy product’s debut may be sluggish, but the Reds can now move on with negotiations in earnest after England and them advanced to the Euro final.

    The Reds may potentially try to exercise Dani Olmo’s release clause. The victor of Euro 2024 will also be taking a vacation, but his £50 million contract is rumoured to expire at the end of this week. Working fast could be crucial to bolstering the team’s attacking options in order to defeat Manchester City’s rivals.

    Olmo could play in a midfield role or as an offensive player on the left or right, providing versatility throughout Slot’s system. With his share of the Golden Boot trophy won in Germany, the 26-year-old will be fired up to try and make an immediate impact.

    Additionally, a defensively inclined midfield player would not hurt. However, Stefan Bajcetic still has the opportunity to stake his claim and join his new boss’s team to back players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.

    Dream XI for the first day

    Darwin, Endo, Mac Allister, Alisson, Olmo, Jota, Van Dijk, Guehi, Robertson, and Darwin.