Liverpool Weighing Up Move to Sign £68m “Magician”, He’s a Perfect Diaz Replacement
Liverpool’s rivals are expected to grow even stronger following Arne Slot’s impressive debut campaign, during which he led the club convincingly toward the Premier League title.
The Reds, however, have already taken steps to strengthen their squad, particularly in defence, with the arrivals of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. They also completed a marquee signing in Florian Wirtz, bringing in the German playmaker for an initial £100 million fee, potentially rising to a British-record £116 million with add-ons.
Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez has been linked with a move to Napoli after an underwhelming season that saw him start just once in the Premier League since Boxing Day.
The future of Luis Diaz at Anfield has also become increasingly uncertain, despite Liverpool initially rejecting a bid from Barcelona in emphatic fashion just a month ago.
Barcelona are now expected to return with a renewed offer for the 28-year-old, who is approaching the penultimate year of his current deal, which earns him £55,000 per week.
Adding further intrigue, BILD has reported that Bayern Munich have reached a personal agreement with Diaz, with an official bid said to be on the horizon.
Diaz had his most productive season in a Liverpool shirt during the 2024/25 campaign, registering 17 goals and eight assists across all competitions.
Jurgen Klopp described him as an “incredible talent” following his debut in 2022, and his performance has improved further under the guidance of Arne Slot.
Should Diaz be sold—something that would require a substantial offer to persuade FSG—Liverpool would need to bring in a replacement to compete with Cody Gakpo on the left flank. And early indications suggest they may have already identified their preferred target.
Liverpool Plot Swoop for Premier League Standout
According to Miguel Delaney of The Independent, Liverpool are considering a move for Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, though Arsenal are currently seen as the frontrunners to secure his signature.
The 27-year-old has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time, and Delaney suggests they may pursue him if Luis Diaz is sold—an outcome that appears increasingly probable based on recent events.
Eze has a £68 million release clause in his contract, making him a costly target. However, given Liverpool’s long-standing interest, he could be viewed as an ideal replacement for the uncertain Diaz.
What Eberechi Eze Could Offer Liverpool
Eze isn’t a traditional winger; blessed with electric pace and impressive physical attributes, he is typically utilised as a fluid number ten and has been described as a “magician” by pundit Micah Richards.
With Florian Wirtz already on board—another player capable of drifting seamlessly between central and wide positions—Liverpool could pull off a masterstroke by bringing in the Premier League-proven Eze to compete with the goal-minded Cody Gakpo.
Eze showcased his big-game credentials by netting the winner in Crystal Palace’s stunning FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May, and he has continued to develop steadily since his departure from Queens Park Rangers.
| Eberechi Eze’s Crystal Palace by Season (all comps) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Apps (starts) | Goals | Assists |
| 24/25 | 43 (40) | 14 | 11 |
| 23/24 | 31 (26) | 11 | 6 |
| 22/23 | 40 (30) | 10 | 4 |
| 21/22 | 19 (7) | 1 | 1 |
| 20/21 | 36 (31) | 3 | 6 |
| Data Source: Transfermarkt | |||
According to FBref, Eberechi Eze ended the 2024/25 Premier League season ranked within the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers for shots per 90 minutes. He also placed in the top 11% for shot-creating actions, top 10% for successful take-ons, and top 14% for ball recoveries per match.
Luis Diaz, on the other hand, was more prolific in front of goal, ranking in the top 4% of his positional peers for goals per 90 minutes. He also featured in the top 18% for shot-creating actions, 17% for successful take-ons, and 47% for ball recoveries per game.
While Diaz displayed explosive pace, strength, and stamina, his overall athletic influence was somewhat more restrained. In contrast, Eze tends to assume more creative responsibility in the final third—something Arne Slot could maximise effectively within his tactical setup at Liverpool.
Eze’s role at Crystal Palace has elevated him beyond just raw talent. He has harnessed his natural flair, blending it with a driven mindset and a hunger for impactful moments, transforming himself into a game-changer.
Labelled a “superstar” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the England international appears to be entering his peak years. He proved his worth last season by matching Diaz with 25 goal contributions across all competitions, demonstrating his ability to replace a player of that calibre.
But Eze isn’t solely defined by goals or creativity. Data from Sofascore shows he averaged 4.6 ground duels and 1.1 tackles per Premier League outing, while also maintaining an impressive 82% pass completion rate.
Though Eze hasn’t quite matched Diaz’s scoring totals since the Colombian joined Liverpool, it’s worth noting that Diaz has been part of a fluid, high-performing side considered one of the strongest in Europe.
And perhaps comparing numbers alone doesn’t fully reflect their individual impact. After all, Eze’s 14-goal tally last term left him just three behind Diaz—a margin that highlights how close the two really are.
Ultimately, both players possess significant quality. If Diaz does depart for a move abroad, Liverpool could hardly go wrong by targeting a Premier League standout like Eze. In fact, it raises the question—could the Premier League champions find a better fit?
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