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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Andy Hunter

Luis Díaz the latest Liverpool target in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal keen

Luis Díaz at Liverpool training session last week.
Luis Díaz, pictured at a Liverpool training session last week, has attracted interest from Al-Hilal. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Liverpool are facing further disruption from the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal interested in signing Luis Díaz.

Liverpool have no desire to sell the Colombia international but an approach is expected from Al-Hilal, one of four clubs in Saudi Arabia backed by the country’s Public Investment Fund.

The interest comes as Liverpool consider a £40m offer from Al-Ittihad for Fabinho, who has been omitted from their pre-season training camp in Germany as a result, and with Jordan Henderson the subject of a lucrative approach from Al-Ettifaq.

Al-Ettifaq, managed by Steven Gerrard, have not lodged a bid for Henderson and Liverpool will not countenance a cut-price deal for their captain.

Díaz impressed after his arrival from Porto in January 2022 but missed six months of last season with a serious knee injury. The 26-year-old remains an integral part of Jürgen Klopp’s plans for the upcoming season.

Klopp is looking for replacements for Fabinho and, although Southampton’s Roméo Lavia is under consideration, Liverpool may opt for greater experience in a defensive midfielder should the 29-year-old Brazil international leave.

Al-Hilal have spent more than £100m since receiving the backing of the PIF, signing Rúben Neves from Wolves, Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio. Their pursuit of Díaz is likely to be resisted by Liverpool but represents an added distraction for Klopp before the Premier League season.

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