Good news for Deco: Manchester City not interested in move for leading Barcelona target

Barcelona have started to look beyond Nico Williams, having resigned themselves to the fact that he will not be leaving Athletic Club this summer. Alternatives are being considered, with one of those being Luis Diaz – the personal favourite of sporting director Deco.

Diaz has been on Barcelona’s radar for months, and with Williams now no longer a target, it could open the door for a move to be made. He would be a very expensive outlay, although it’s been reported by Sport that Deco has re-activated his contacts with the Colombian winger’s representatives.

It had looked like Barcelona’s pursuit of Diaz would be over before it had even got serious, as reports had emerged that Manchester City had agreed personal terms, and were also willing to pay €70m – a figure that the Catalans cannot get near. However, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that this is not the case.

Simply speaking, it would not be a smart move for Barcelona and Deco to go after Diaz. He’s a profile that is needed, but he’s not worth the money that Liverpool are demanding – especially when taking into account his age, and his lack of decisiveness in the final third.