Liverpool star drops contract hint: 'It's up to them'

Liverpool have got some contract issues to resolve.

Transfer talk around Luis Diaz has increased in volume this week. It was claimed that Barcelona were denied the chance to speak to Liverpool about buying the Colombian.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano confirms agreement for winger

Reading between the lines of that report however, it becomes apparent that sporting director Richard Hughes would likely sell Diaz if the price was right.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano confirms star player has agreed to join Liverpool

A decision will soon come over the fate of the winger, with his contract expiring in 2027 and no new deal on the table.

Diaz signed a five-year contract upon his transfer from Porto back in 2022 - and unusually for a Liverpool first-team player, he hasn't managed to earn a new contract yet.

Diaz talking to other clubs

Diaz has confirmed that he and his representatives have spoken to different teams about opportunities this summer.

“We are talking with other clubs,” he admitted in comments reported by Pipe Sierra. “It’s normal in the transfer window and we're looking at the best for us.

With his Liverpool deal worth a reported £55k per week, Diaz might well feel he’s worth a lot more given he’s contributed 13 goals during a Premier League-winning season.

But the club don’t yet appear to see it that way, reportedly content to keep Diaz at the club until his contract runs out on his current wages rather than upping his pay to a desired £150k per week or thereabouts.

'It's up to the club' says Diaz

On international duty this week ahead of a CONMEBOL World Cup qualification match against Peru, Diaz offered a hint that he would be willing to engage in talks with his employers.

“If they offer us a good renewal or I stay there for the two years [of current contract], I’ll be happy. Now it's up to them."

The ball is in Liverpool’s court and there is a Diaz endgame in sight.

Put simply: The club have the choice to retain for two years and inevitably lose him on a free.

They could opt to cash in this summer and bank €85m from Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr reportedly keen to add the 28-year-old.

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Or else they could cave to Diaz’s demands and sign him to a bumper new deal which takes him to his 30s. Diaz has shown the willingness to engage but what will Richard Hughes decide?