Barcelona president Joan Laporta has ruled out a move for Luis Diaz this summer despite the player expressing his desire to leave Liverpool.
The Colombian winger, 28, has attracted interest from across Europe, with both the Catalan giants and Bayern Munich reportedly in hot pursuit of his signature.
Clubs in the Saudi Pro League have too been keeping tabs on Diaz’s availability, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr thought to be at the head of the queue.
But Liverpool, who signed him for £50million from Porto in 2022, have insisted they have no intention of selling Diaz this transfer window, with the winger still an integral part of Arne Slot’s plans.
And now Barcelona have left the race for the £60million-rated forward due to a ‘complication’ with his contract.
The club’s president Joan Laporta told Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo on Wednesday: ‘It’s true that I liked Diaz, a very complete player, but due to his contract situation with Liverpool, it was complicated – although I appreciate the player who wanted to join us.’
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz, 28, has been linked with a move away from the club this summer
Liverpool have however insisted they have no intention of selling the Colombian international
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has now ruled out a move for Diaz this transfer window
It comes days after the LaLiga champions bolstered their ranks with the signing of Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford.
They secured the 27-year-old England forward’s service after agreeing a season-long loan with United, which also allows Barcelona to make the move permanent next summer for £30million.
The club announced their latest addition to an already star-studded forward line on Wednesday, with Rashford pictured with his new No 14 in Catalonia for the first time.
The player beamed with excitement at his official unveiling, saying it will be a ‘joy’ to play for his new club.
‘I am very excited, I think it’s a club where people’s dreams come true,’ Rashford said.
‘What the club stands for means a lot to me as well and it feels like I’m at home, and this is a big factor in my choice. It’s a family club people are comfortable here and it’s a good place for people to show their skills.
‘I try to make decisive actions and fast dynamic plays and I always like good football so I’ve always been a fan of watching Barcelona from a young age.
‘It’s going to be a joy for me to play here and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it. I am definitely full of excitement and hunger to go out and try an help the team win. They won so much last year and I can see the ambition is to do better than last year.
The news comes days after the Catalan giants completed the signing of Marcus Rashford
The 27-year-old was unveiled officially on Wednesday, saying it will be a ‘joy’ to play for Barca
He will join a star-studded attack that already includes Lamine Yamal (right) and Raphinha
‘As a player that’s what you want to hear, it keeps you improving year on year and that’s what you need to be the best version of yourself.’
Rashford was too asked about Manchester United after completing his move away from the club where he played 426 times, scoring 138 goals.
‘The situation with [Manchester] United – the club is in a period of change and they have been for a while,’ he said.
‘I don’t have anything bad to say about Man United. It’s been an important part of not only my career but my life, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play for them.
‘But football is the same as life, and not everything goes as simple as you may think.
‘This is my next step, my next chapter, and I’m fully focused on this and trying to improve myself and help the team win trophies.
‘I don’t have anything to say about United, I hope they are successful in the future. I’m focused here and I’m ready to play and experience this club.’
The forward spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa after a fall out with new Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim.
He made 17 appearances for The Villans, scoring four goals.
