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LIVERPOOL: Luis Diaz is reportedly interested in joining Barcelona and the Spanish giant club is also ready to reach an agreement with Liverpool who wants to release the player in question.

According to Spanish media, the Colombian player has made his decision and believes now is the best time to finish his career at Anfield after three and a half seasons.

Liverpool have not yet offered Diaz a contract extension, which expires in 2027, and he could be left out of the squad with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and several other players.

The Premier League champions are said to have told Diaz, 28, that he could move for 51 million pounds but Barcelona could not afford such a high fee.

Akhbar SPORT reports that Barca are confident of being able to sign the player in the next few weeks, even though Liverpool rejected their offer earlier this month.

Barca manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco gave the green light for a move dubbed ‘Operation Luis Diaz’.

Diaz helped Liverpool win their second Premier League title by scoring 17 goals and assisting another eight in all competitions.

Barcelona has become the destination of choice for players from the South American continent after creating a name with the English Premier League club.

Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Javier Mascherano created their own success at Barcelona after leaving Liverpool 15 years ago.

Diaz is one of Arne Slot’s main assets because of his ability to play on the wing or front.

Diaz recently said: “I am very happy at Liverpool. They have served me well since day one.

“We are in talks with other clubs. It’s a normal thing in the transfer window.

“If Liverpool renew my contract, or if I need to use up the remaining two years, I’m still happy. It’s up to them.”

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is back in a gloomy mood after losing 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest early this morning, their 18th defeat in the Premier League this season.

Tottenham found themselves 2-0 down after 16 minutes and although they dominated the game from then on and got a late lifeline through Richarlison, it proved to be another slump that could see Spurs’ worst points tally since 44 in the 1997-98 season.

With tough matches ahead, including a visit to eventual champions Liverpool next weekend, they have slipped to 16th place with 37 points. Only the bottom three clubs have lost more matches.

Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt that helped them reach the Europa League semi-finals last week revived their season and Postecoglou can live up to his claim that he often wins trophies in his second season at any club.

But another league defeat, his eighth at home this season, has increased the pressure on the 59-year-old former Celtic manager.

“It’s another game we shouldn’t have lost and it’s been a big part of our season where we’ve made it harder in the important moments,” the Australian told reporters.

“Conceding a terrible goal. It’s a shame because our football was excellent and we really dominated the game. Even with the two goals we conceded I still feel we deserved to win this game. At the same time it’s another defeat that is unacceptable.”

Tottenham were booed at half-time, but the mood was better in the second half as the hosts pushed back Champions League contenders Forest.

“I don’t have to say anything to the fans. The fans are disappointed and angry and so are we,” Postecoglou said.

BIRMINGHAM, England: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique praised his squad as the best in the world early this morning after they qualified for the Champions League semi-finals with a 5-4 aggregate victory over Aston Villa.

The French champions, who have never won Europe’s elite club competition, will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid for their second semi-final appearance in two years.

Earlier this morning, they lost 3-2 to Aston Villa in the second quarter-final and the English club could have tied the aggregate score at 5-5 or even won it if not for the brilliant action of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the second half.

“I think we have the best squad in the world, not just the goalkeepers. When you are at a club like PSG, you have a lot of quality players,” Enrique told Amazon Prime TV.

“I think overall for the two games, we deserved to win… I’m very happy because I can offer our fans another qualification to the semi-finals.”

The PSG boss praised Villa’s quality and intensity, which saw them come back from 2-0 down early on Sunday – trailing 5-1 on aggregate – before scoring three goals.

“We started the game in a great way, scoring two impressive goals, trying to take advantage of the open spaces,” he said.

“We can’t forget, this is the Champions League and you have to accept the fact that the opposing team has a lot of quality. Aston Villa played with high intensity in the second half.

“They are not worried about losing because they lost the first game and were crushed in the first half (of the second match).”

LONDON: Chelsea’s quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League looks increasingly challenging after being held to a 2-2 draw by Ipswich in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Although Chelsea dominated the game, Ipswich opened the scoring first through Julio Enciso who finished off Ben Johnson’s cross.

Enciso assisted Ipswich’s second goal after his pass was headed by Johnson, allowing the visitors to take the lead until the end of the first half.

Axel Tuanzebe’s own goal just 20 seconds after the break reduced the deficit for Chelsea before Jadon Sancho tied the score with a thrilling goal with 10 minutes remaining.

The result leaves Chelsea fifth in the league, three points behind third-placed Nottingham Forest but ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference.

Ipswich are 14 points clear of the relegation zone following Wolves’ victory over Tottenham at Molineux.

MADRID: Barcelona will face arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final after Ferran Torres secured a 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid early this morning, qualifying 5-4 on aggregate.

Record 31-time winners Barca dominated the action at the Metropolitano Stadium after a 4-4 draw in the first semi-final and the defeat saw Diego Simeone’s Atletico fail to win any trophies this season.

On the other hand, the Catalan giants are chasing a potential four titles and are unbeaten throughout 2025, extending their record to 21 matches without a defeat.

Atletico were the last team to beat Barcelona, ​​winning before Christmas to move top of La Liga, but they now trail Hansi Flick’s side by nine points with nine games remaining.

“We can’t relax, we have to keep believing and working hard, with humility and I’m sure good things will come,” Torres told Movistar.

“If the final is a big motivation, imagine playing against your arch-rivals.”

Madrid also eliminated Real Sociedad 5-4 on aggregate after a 4-4 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu early yesterday morning.

Teenage winger Lamine Yamal was a thorn in the side of the home side with his quick runs and the 17-year-old fed Torres, who finished with a clinical finish in the 27th minute to seal the win.