Liverpool have obvious Luis Diaz replacement as £65m transfer agreement possible

A former Liverpool star has told the club that a 'fantastic' replacement for Luis Diaz is available this summer if the Colombian star moves to Bayern Munich. Diaz, 28, has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, with just two years left on his current deal.

The German giants have already had a bid of £58.5million turned down this summer. However, negotiations remain ongoing, with Barcelona seemingly out of the race after opting to sign Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. And now, both parties appear to be nearing a deal.

According to Bild, both clubs are confident of finalising a transfer, and Bayern are prepared to increase their bid to £65m. Now Jermaine Pennant, who played for the Reds in the 2007 Champions League final, has argued there is an obvious solution to any dearth left by Diaz.

"Liverpool are in the business of signing world-class players, and should Luis Diaz depart, Real Madrid's Rodrygo looks a fantastic option to replace him," he told Adventure Gamers. "He's not some young, unstudied talent."

The Brazilian international is expected to leave the Bernabeu this summer with no natural fit for him in Xabi Alonso's system. Real reportedly want £80m for the 24-year-old Champions League winner, a fee which would be offset by the sale of Diaz.

Pennant believes that fans of the Reds would be delighted if he were to replace Diaz, adding: "He's an experienced and established player as it is and watching him over the years has been exciting.

"He's quick, powerful, direct and very tricky to defend against and you could even say he fits a similar profile to Diaz. It'd be a like-for-like replacement and a transfer that I could see the fans really getting behind should Diaz leave."

If Liverpool did sign the forward for Real's proposed fee, it would take their summer spending to more than £300m. It would also make Rodrygo the second most expensive signing in their history after the purchase of Florian Wirtz in a deal that could eventually be worth £116m.