A Liverpool attacker has apparently emerged as a target for Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr if they cannot persuade Vinicius Junior to join from Real Madrid.
Despite only being 24 years of age and thriving in the Spanish capital, Vinicius has been persistently linked with a move to the Middle East, where he would become one of the highest-paid players on the planet.
The Brazil international is only under contract at the Bernabeu for another two seasons, and it has been alleged that Los Blancos are ready to do away with Vinicius when the summer window opens.
However, the player himself has stressed that he wants to sign a new contract with Los Blancos at the earliest opportunity, demonstrating his commitment to the club despite the riches on offer in Saudi Arabia.
Even though Real and Vinicius are supposedly at odds when it comes to the player's future, it is difficult to envisage the 24-year-old moving on this summer unless an astronomical proposal was tabled.
Al-Nassr 'want Luis Diaz as Vinicius alternative'
© Imago
According to talkSPORT, one club from the Saudi Pro League is set to make a 'monumental' approach for Vinicius, but the team in question is Al-Ahli, not Al-Nassr.
While the latter team cannot be ruled out of the race for Vinicius, the report adds that they are already scoping out alternatives, and Liverpool's Diaz has emerged as a prime target.
The Colombia international shone at the start of the 2024-25 season under Arne Slot and boasts a respectable record overall this season, coming up with 15 goals and eight assists from 45 matches.
Diaz has also rediscovered form in the Premier League of late, either scoring or setting up a goal in each of his last five appearances, including in Sunday's 2-1 win over West Ham United.
However, the former Porto man - like Vinicius - is also due to become a free agent in 2027, and the report has labelled him the 'most likely alternative' to the Real Madrid man for Al-Nassr.
Diaz could reunite with ex-Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane should he join the Saudi giants this summer, while Jhon Duran, Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte and Mohamed Simakan are also on the books at Al-Nassr alongside Ronaldo.
The 28-year-old boasts 39 goals and 23 assists in 143 appearances for Liverpool, who shelled out £42.5m to sign him from Porto midway through the 2021-22 season.
Diaz could be part of Liverpool attacking exodus this summer
© Imago
Liverpool and Diaz have not made any headway in contract talks, no real surprise given that the Reds have invested most of their resources into securing Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk's futures.
However, Liverpool should not be in a position to turn down reasonable bids for Diaz, who could be one of as many as four Reds attackers to head for the exit door when the summer window opens.
Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have been tipped to depart, and the Premier League leaders are also said to have named their asking price for the seldom-seen Federico Chiesa.
Ben Knapton
