Cristiano Ronaldo steps in as Luis Diaz transfer exit from Liverpool takes new twist

The football world is watching closely, and the tension at anfield is rising every single day. this summer, one name has refused to stay out of the headlines – luis diaz. the colombian winger has now become the center of a fierce transfer tug-of-war involving multiple clubs from europe and beyond. but in a shocking twist that could change everything, cristiano ronaldo himself has stepped into the chaos, and the move he’s now pushing for could see diaz leave the premier league not for barcelona or bayern munich, but for the saudi pro league.

it’s a dramatic development, one no liverpool fan could have seen coming at the beginning of the summer. and it all centers around one powerful voice—cristiano ronaldo—who wants to see luis diaz join him in saudi arabia at al-nassr.

it all began like many transfer sagas do: with rumours, quiet talks, and indirect links to clubs. for nearly a year, whispers about luis diaz leaving liverpool have echoed through the corridors of anfield. but in recent weeks, those whispers have become shouts. the 28-year-old is reportedly unhappy with liverpool’s reluctance to extend his contract, and he’s now made his feelings known to the club. the message? he wants to leave. but where to? that’s the million-dollar question. and as of now, it’s a question pulling the attention of europe’s biggest clubs—and one of the biggest names in football history

let’s rewind for a moment. the story began with interest from barcelona, a club diaz has long admired. the la liga giants approached liverpool earlier this summer but were quickly turned away. their proposal, though not publicly disclosed in full, was clearly far below liverpool’s internal valuation of the colombian winger, which sources say sits at an eye-watering 117 million dollars.

next came bayern munich, who upped the stakes with a 79 million dollar offer. a serious bid, no doubt. but again, liverpool stood firm. the answer was no. liverpool, at least publicly, were not ready to sell. or perhaps more accurately, not ready to sell unless someone meets their full valuation. but here’s where the plot thickens. because while liverpool were rejecting bids from two of europe’s elite clubs, another player—cristiano ronaldo—was playing a very different kind of role in the shadows.

cristiano ronaldo isn’t just a player at al-nassr anymore. he is the face of saudi football. his presence helped launch the saudi pro league’s ambitious plan to transform itself into a true global competitor. since ronaldo’s arrival, big names like neymar, benzema, and kante have all followed. and now, he has a new target: luis diaz.

according to spanish outlet sport, ronaldo has personally asked al-nassr’s management to go all out to sign diaz. it’s not just a casual suggestion. ronaldo reportedly sees diaz as the next superstar who can carry the league’s global marketing campaign into a new era. the colombian’s flair, speed, and goal-scoring ability make him an ideal candidate to join the saudi project.

but what’s even more surprising is that al-nassr may be the only club so far willing to meet liverpool’s valuation. that alone could shift the entire dynamic of the transfer saga. if liverpool are to sell, they’ll need to be paid what they believe diaz is worth. right now, only one club is ready to do that—and it’s the one with ronaldo pulling the stringsbut diaz himself has not shown much interest in moving to saudi arabia—at least not yet.

when recently asked about the al-nassr links, diaz didn’t slam the door shut. instead, he played it cool. he admitted there are ongoing talks with the club, his representatives, and those making inquiries, but insisted he’s calm and happy at liverpool—for now.

his exact words were: we’re in the process of negotiations, talking with the club, with liverpool, with everyone who’s approaching us. but i’m very calm where i am, you know, very happy. trying to make the best decision now.

in another interview with win sports, diaz doubled down on that idea of calmness and uncertainty: we don’t know yet. nothing, nothing to say. we’re there talking with the management, we’re calm where i am.

in simple terms: diaz is leaving the door open. he’s not begging to leave anfield, but he’s also not committing his future to the club. and when you combine that with his reported desire for a contract extension, which has so far gone unanswered, the picture starts to form.

diaz wants to feel valued. and if liverpool can’t give him that contract renewal—and if barcelona and bayern can’t match the price—it might just take one huge payday from saudi arabia to change his mind.

inside anfield, this has now turned into a headache for arne slot, the new head coach tasked with taking over from jurgen klopp. diaz is a key player, an automatic starter when fit, and a fan favorite. losing him would not just create a tactical gap—it would send shockwaves through the dressing room, especially at a time when liverpool is trying to rebuild and compete again for major trophies.

but football is also business. and in business, 117 million dollars is hard to ignore—especially for a 28-year-old whose resale value will soon begin to drop.

the fact that al-nassr is willing to pay that amount changes everything. because unlike bayern and barcelona, the saudi club can match liverpool’s financial expectations without blinking. and with cristiano ronaldo pushing from behind the scenes, it’s not just a normal transfer anymore. it’s a power move.

still, diaz’s reluctance to leave europe remains a huge barrier. his dream, according to many close to him, is still to play for barcelona. and although that door seems shut for now, it could open again in the future.

that puts liverpool in a tricky spot. do they keep an unhappy player who clearly wants more? do they hope barcelona comes back with more cash? or do they take the money from saudi arabia and rebuild with a younger, hungrier replacement

and there’s more. diaz’s possible exit isn’t happening in isolation. darwin nunez is also being linked with a move away. at one point, napoli looked interested in the uruguayan striker, but those talks have cooled

meanwhile, liverpool are actively pursuing hugo ekitike, with reports suggesting a bid is ready to go, and personal terms already agreed. that suggests liverpool are preparing for possible changes in attack, and they may already be planning a future without diaz or nunez.

if that’s the case, it might explain why the club is listening closely—not publicly, but privately—to the offers coming in. a sale to al-nassr would free up funds, create room for ekitike, and allow liverpool to refresh the squad with younger legs. but again, it comes at a cost: selling one of their most exciting players to a league far from european football’s elite

1. barcelona returns with a new bid. this would be diaz’s ideal outcome. he gets his dream move, stays in europe, and liverpool sells to a club the player actually wants. but the issue is money. barcelona’s financial troubles are no secret, and unless they make a major sale, it’s unlikely they can match the asking price.

2. al-nassr meets the 117 million dollar demand and diaz agrees to go. this is what cristiano ronaldo wants. it gives the saudi pro league another superstar, gives liverpool the full transfer fee, and ends the saga with a major statement. but will diaz be willing to sacrifice champions league football and a european career to play in saudi arabia at just 28?

3. diaz stays at liverpool, but tensions rise. if no acceptable offer arrives, liverpool will keep the player. but an unhappy diaz without a new contract could affect squad harmony. he may not be the same motivated, high-energy player fans have come to love.

ronaldo’s involvement in all of this is a clear sign of how much influence he now has in saudi arabia. he’s not just scoring goals. he’s shaping club strategy, recommending signings, and using his global appeal to attract other stars. diaz is just the latest on his list.

and make no mistake—if ronaldo gets what he wants, it’ll be another giant step forward for saudi football. a player like diaz, still in his prime, would send a message to the world: the saudi pro league isn’t just for veterans or those near retirement. it’s for top-tier players, too.

and with fifa expanding club world cup tournaments and more attention turning to global leagues, this kind of move is becoming more common—and more powerful. right now, luis diaz holds the key. if he agrees to leave europe, liverpool will likely accept the al-nassr bid. if he insists on staying, then the saga will drag on, with barcelona watching from the sidelines and bayern deciding whether to return with more cash.

cristiano ronaldo has made his move. the next one belongs to diaz. will money talk? will ambition win? or will liverpool do something unexpected—offer diaz a new contract and end the saga once and for all