Nico Williams deal has MASSIVE impact on Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz | OneFootball

The front line at Liverpool is in a period of flux. Anyone could potentially leave this summer.

Of course, that is except for Mohamed Salah who is tied down as the club's record wage earner.

Darwin Nunez is guaranteed to leave according to Fabrizio Romano, although his whereabouts is still being decided. Diogo Jota could potentially follow suit if a lucrative offer is made. And then we have Federico Chiesa who looks destined to return to Italy just one year after his unsuccessful move.

But the situation with Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz is a lot more complicated and it all lies on the fate of one player and which club he decided to join. The left-wing pairing are admired across the world.

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The potential impact of Nico Williams' decision

Barcelona were interested in both Nico Williams at Athletic, and Diaz at Liverpool, but it seems as though the Spaniard is going to be favoured for the move because of his attainable release clause.

According to Florian Plettenberg, talks are now taking place to finalise the deal.

In his update he said: "Crucial for Williams' desire to join Barcelona: talks with Hansi Flick, and Lamine Yamal has internally expressed on several occasions that he would love to play alongside Williams - also in the context of his own contract extension.

"Max Eberl are full informed and remain on standby in case Barca are unable to afford the deal financially. At the same time, Bayern are keeping contacts with other targets: Barcola (Luis Campos is very keen to keep him), Mitoma, Leao and Gakpo."

For Diaz, the opportunity to leave might be now better placed in the Saudi Pro League, who have also been interested in the player. Barcelona was never the only option available for him.

However, the Reds might be better served to keep Diaz if Bayern approach Gakpo because Williams is no longer an available target. If the interest in the Dutchman is serious the Liverpool have an issue.

Gakpo was never on the roster of players that were considered sellable, but a financial approach that is worth the Reds' while could potentially open up negotiations for him to join the German giants.

Either way, the suggestion at the start of the season is that selling a left-winger was going to be necessary to conduct that business that Liverpool were hoping to do. The transfer income for Diaz, if his asking price was met, was going to be significant. It just might need to be Saudi money instead.

But to continue looking to sell Diaz, you would need guarantees that Gakpo will stay. In the face of interest from Bayern, a certainty that Gakpo won't be tempted at all is difficult to say right now.

As such, we're in a situation that is complex enough to give anyone reading this a headache, but such is the way of the transfer market right now. It's a long summer, and absolutely anything can happen, but the outcome of this Williams deal to Barcelona could play a pivotal role for Liverpool.