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Luis Diaz has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season, yet there is a growing chance that the winger could leave this summer.

FC Barcelona are growing in confidence in signing Diaz, with the Catalan giants earmarking the Colombian international as their prime attacking target having won the La Liga title this season under Hansi Flick.

Should Diaz leave, Arne Slot will be in need of a replacement, with Liverpool already eyeing Malick Fofana as a successor for the 28-year-old attacker after the Belgian international enjoyed a breakout year with Olympique Lyonnais.

However, there is another player out there who could be the dream replacement for Diaz this summer, though Liverpool’s plan to sign the forward could soon be ruined if Arsenal beat the Reds to the punch.

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Rodrygo Goes has been linked with Liverpool leading into the summer, with Real Madrid keen on selling the Brazilian international in order to raise funds to help prepare Xabi Alonso for his first summer in charge of the club.

Yet Liverpool are now not alone in their interest in Rodrygo, with Florian Plettenberg reporting that Arsenal have entered the race for the 24-year-old attacker, with the Gunners in the market for a left-sided attacker.

With the north London side also keen on signing a centre-forward, it’s no surprise that Arsenal and Liverpool have already crossed paths in regards to which players they want to sign this summer, with Rodrygo now wanted by both teams.

Yet for the Reds, losing out on the former Santos star to a Premier League rival in Arsenal will feel like a huge kick in the teeth, especially with how perfect a player Rodrygo could be for Liverpool under Slot as a replacement for Diaz.

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Although the transfer window opens early this year due to the FIFA Club World Cup, deals appear to be getting completed much sooner than usual, with Liverpool closing in on signing Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.

And this trend could soon spread to other top clubs looking to make big moves in the market, such as Arsenal making a swoop for Rodrygo, a transfer that Liverpool could only realistically make once Diaz is sold to Barcelona.

As a result, accelerating Diaz’s departure from Anfield could be something Liverpool have to consider if they’re serious about signing Rodrygo, who could be a dream forward for the Reds under Slot’s management, especially with Madrid looking to sell.


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