Premier League champion might need to follow Raphinha’s footsteps to sign for Barcelona – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have already started working towards reinforcing the squad ahead of next season and one position on top of their priority list looks to be the left wing. With Ansu Fati closing in on an exit, the club need another option who can play there.

With Hansi Flick not placing much faith in Fati, Raphinha has been forced to play almost every single game on the left this season. It has helped that the Brazilian has been in excellent form this season but the German coach needs more options.

One player that Barcelona are interested in for the left wing is Liverpool star Luis Diaz. However, as per SPORT, if the Premier League champion wanted to make this move happen this summer, he might have to follow the precedent set by Raphinha.

Luis Diaz… in the footsteps of Raphinha?

Luis Diaz is a summer transfer target for Barcelona. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Back when the Brazilian was at Leeds United, Barcelona wanted to sign him but could not move immediately due to their financial situation. Meanwhile, offers were flooding in for Raphinha from all directions that summer.

However, Raphinha decided to play the waiting game. He rejected better financial offers from all other clubs to make his dream of playing for Barcelona happen. At one point, Leeds United even reached an agreement with Chelsea but the Brazilian rejected the transfer.

Ultimately, he got what he wanted and he is now one of Barcelona’s captains. Similarly, as per the report, Luis Diaz might have to wait until mid-July before the Catalan club are able to determine if FFP allows them to sign him.

A waiting game

Luis Diaz’s 2024/25 compared to Raphinha. (Source: DataMB)

The 28-year-old winger already has a contract extension on the table at Liverpool, which would see his salary improve. However, Luis Diaz is a proclaimed Barcelona fan and is yet to respond to the Reds about the renewal on the table. It is expected that Liverpool would ask for around €85m to part ways with him this summer.

Whether Luis Diaz follows in Raphinha’s footsteps remains to be seen. With a contract extension from Liverpool on the table and Barcelona’s financial picture still unclear, the Colombian faces a difficult decision. If playing for Barça is truly his dream, patience and resolve, just like Raphinha’s, may be his best path forward. For now, it’s a waiting game on all sides.