‘Pep Guardiola didn’t wish to let me go – now I might change Mo Salah at Liverpool’
Brahim Diaz was sold by Manchester City to Real Madrid in January 2019 – but Pep Guardiola was desperate to keep the impressive winger who is now on Liverpool’s radar
Pep Guardiola might find himself ruing a missed opportunity if Brahim Diaz ends up signing for Liverpool.
The 25-year-old once honed his skills under Guardiola at Manchester City, where despite only playing in 15 senior games, he left an impression on the renowned coach. Guardiola lavished praise on Diaz around the time of his departure to Real Madrid in January 2019, saying: “Playing in the top teams is not easy for young players, but he showed his qualities again.
“His training is always incredible and he’s really appreciated by all of us.” He added: “Everyone here is ready to play in the first team, otherwise he wouldn’t be here.”
Guardiola also expressed a keen desire to keep Diaz, explaining: “He knows we want him, but after that it’s down to his agent and himself. We will do absolutely everything to keep him with us – afterwards he decides.
“We want him, but at the end it doesn’t depend on us.” Diaz featured for Real Madrid on just six occasions during his maiden season, before enjoying a loan spell at AC Milan.
He played 124 times and netted 18 goals for the Rossoneri before returning to the Bernabeu, extending his contract with Real Madrid until the summer of 2027, reports the Mirror. Liverpool are reportedly considering a move to bring Diaz back to the Premier League, with Spanish publication Fichajes noting how he has struggled to secure a regular spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid side due to competition from the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Endrick and Arda Guler.
Despite currently leading the Premier League table, Liverpool face uncertainty with several key players’ contracts set to expire at season’s end. Trent Alexander-Arnold is rumoured to be considering a move to Madrid, while Virgil van Dijk hopes to extend his stay at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah, whose contract also expires this summer, has yet to agree on a new deal. Even at 32, he remains a crucial player for Liverpool, contributing 18 goals and 13 assists in 21 Premier League appearances this season.
The Reds see Diaz as a potential replacement for Salah should he decide to leave. Despite entering the latter stages of his career, Salah continues to perform at a high level, also scoring three goals and providing four assists in seven Champions League games this season.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Diaz could prove challenging, with heavyweights Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also reportedly keeping tabs on the promising forward. Although no official price tag has been attached to Diaz, it is believed that a bid in the region of £50 million would be required to secure his services.
Madrid currently top the La Liga standings after 20 games played with a record of 14 wins, four draws and two losses. Diaz has scored three goals and assisted twice in 680 league minutes played for Los Blancos this season, proving he has the ability to find the back of the net at the highest level given the slightest opportunity.
