FC Barcelona has activated an £80 million release clause to entice a top player from Liverpool to join them this summer, as the player has confirmed his interest in playing for Barcelona.

Transfer news journalist Ben Jacobs recently addressed rumors about Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara being potential targets for Barcelona this summer.

In his latest Daily Briefing column for CaughtOffside, Jacobs clarified that Liverpool has no intention of selling Diaz, and Barcelona’s financial constraints make a move for the Colombian international unlikely.

Jacobs highlighted that Diaz, an essential player for Liverpool, is under contract until 2027. Liverpool views him as a crucial part of their squad and has no plans to sell him despite persistent links to Barcelona.

Diaz’s father has publicly mentioned his son’s long-term ambition to play in Spain, but this does not indicate any immediate desire to leave Liverpool.

Barcelona, currently grappling with Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues, would need significant financial adjustments to afford Diaz, which adds another layer of improbability to the transfer rumors.

Barcelona’s financial troubles mean they would need to offload significant assets to make room for new acquisitions. Jacobs noted that while Jules Kounde and Raphinha are seen as potential candidates for sale, neither player wishes to leave Barcelona.

Similarly, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo could be other names to watch, but any substantial sales would be necessary to balance their books before making any high-profile purchases like Diaz.

Regarding Thiago Alcantara, Jacobs explained that the veteran midfielder, set to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract, is still weighing his options. While Thiago prefers to stay in Europe, he has not yet made a definitive decision about his next move.

Earlier attempts by Saudi clubs to lure him with a pre-contract offer in January were unsuccessful. Thiago’s name has also surfaced in connection with Barcelona, but Jacobs noted that it is still too early to determine his next destination definitively.

Jacobs’ comments provide a realistic perspective on the transfer speculations involving these Liverpool players. For Diaz, while Barcelona may be an appealing future destination, the financial hurdles and Liverpool’s firm stance on retaining him make a transfer highly unlikely this summer.

Diaz remains focused on his role at Liverpool, continuing to contribute significantly to the team’s ambitions.

Meanwhile, Thiago’s future remains uncertain, with his preference to stay in Europe guiding his decision-making process. Despite links to Barcelona, no immediate moves are expected until a clearer picture of his options emerges.