Nobody really knows what’s going on in his head, or his family’s. We know he’s open to a move to Spain, so if Barcelona came calling, I’d expect him to push for it. As for Saudi, Diaz grew up in a very impoverished, underdeveloped part of Colombia, and it’s always going to be difficult for a player to turn down £400k a week tax-free, or whatever the offer might be. Duran, also from Colombia, has already shown his hand. Personally, I don’t have any ill will over it. We can debate the sporting integrity and the impact on their reputation in the game all day long, but there is something satisfying about the richest oil barons on earth throwing vast sums of money at players who couldn’t even afford boots as kid, especially if some of that money finds its way back to their communities. In some ways, it might be the most realistic form of wealth redistribution that exists.
I’d like to think Diaz recognises what he has here. People complain about his numbers and output, but I believe he’s one of those players fans will miss more than they realise. He’s someone who would run through walls for you. I’d need to be properly convinced that any replacement would bring the same level of commitment, skill and drive before even considering letting him go. Personally I think we have enough to be getting on with before messing with LW, which is probably the best stacked position in the Premier League for quality, but it will depend where his head is at and what offers come forward.
Ultimately we need better than Diaz but, as you say, his work rate and commitment are undeniable, and we have other positions that are higher priority this summer.