Manchester City and Liverpool discussed sensational transfer swap last summer

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It’s very rare for two title rivals to do transfer business, especially such fierce competitive rivalries between Liverpool and Manchester City.

The two clubs have gone head-to-head for multiple League titles within the last decade, with the Cityzens unfortunately coming out on top more often than not.

Indeed, since the 2017/18 season, there has not been a Premier League winner not named Liverpool or Manchester City.

As a result, the two English giants have rarely made direct transfers to each other.

The last notable direct transfer between the clubs was Raheem Sterling’s move from Liverpool to Manchester City in the summer of 2015.

Since then, no major senior player has transferred directly between the two clubs.

However, there has been plenty of academy and staff moves between clubs, with Lucas Alford the latest academy prospect to cross the divide from the Etihad to Anfield.

But it seems that the two clubs did briefly flirt with a higher profile transfer between themselves.

Indeed, Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph has reported that the two title rivals were considering a swap deal for Luis Diaz and Julian Alvarez in the summer of 2024.

However, it was Manchester City who “killed” the idea, with Liverpool matching the Cityzen’s stance:

“Shortly after the trio [Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes, Arne Slot] got to work, Liverpool realised Luis Diaz wanted to go to Manchester City.”

“The recruitment team proposed Diaz might move to the Etihad in exchange for Julian Alvarez.”

‘”We don’t sell to rivals,’ City responded, killing the idea.”

‘”Neither do we then,’ was Liverpool’s pithy response.”

“City sold Alvarez to Atlético Madrid instead, Díaz stayed put and put his disappointment behind him, and Liverpool’s incomings amounted to just £10m for Federico Chiesa.”

It makes a lot of sense, as Diaz was being linked to Manchester City at the time, while Liverpool were believed to be keen on Julian Alvarez.

And while the Argentinean was wanted by large swathes of the Reds fans base, the Atletico Madrid forward is not really in the picture of the signings of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

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