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Liverpool have been quick to make moves this summer but some targets may take a little bit more time to acquire.
The Reds have signed player after player in the transfer market but all of them appear to be signings of the highest quality.
To make room for more, however, outgoings will be needed as Liverpool’s squad size is rather large, with many players touted with a move away.
Luis Diaz is almost certain to move on as the Colombian is the subject of interest from Bayern Munich, with the German giants ready to send in a second bid.
Liverpool are now willing to sell, albeit reluctantly, with the fee expected to be around the £70m mark, a good-sized fee that will be enough to source a like-for-like replacement.
However, Richard Hughes already appears keen to bring in a certain player as Diaz’s successor, although this move will have to wait at least a year.
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The list of names linked with replacing Diaz seems endless, with the ones who keep cropping up being the likes of Rodrygo, Anthony Gordon and Rafael Leao.
But all of these are likely not the first-choice option, with sporting director Hughes having a different player top of his wishlist.
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According to ESPN, Hughes is a ‘big fan’ of Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola, but he knows a move for him this summer is not plausible.
Luis Enrique sees him as a big part of his plans next season and has stated that he is not for sale, but that does not mean Liverpool will not try again next season.
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The 22-year-old saw fairly limited minutes last season as he has struggled to nail down a regular position in the team ahead of Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, suggesting another season of this could prompt an exit.
Hughes and Liverpool would be there to pounce if that is what he decides, suggesting they might not actually replace Diaz straight away.
Losing a player of Diaz’s quality would be a huge blow but replacing him is not a necessity as the Reds have plenty of quality options.
Cody Gakpo will be first-choice and make that position his own, while new signings Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz are capable of playing out there too.
Factoring in some minutes for 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha as well and Liverpool do not need a Diaz replacement and should be fine for the rest of the season.
The Reds have also spent in excess of £300m already this summer, a figure that is only expected to rise, so postponing a move might be worthwhile as not only would they save some money this year, but they would be able to get their top target next summer too.