Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez transfer latest as Arne Slot omits Liverpool duo from AC Milan pre-season fixture

Liverpool attacking duo Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were both left out of the Reds' squad for their pre-season tour match with AC Milan on Saturday, further fuelling speculation surrounding their futures.

Both South Americans are thought to be on the hunt for new stomping grounds this summer, but they were nevertheless summoned by Arne Slot for Liverpool's jaunt to Asia.

Nunez has enjoyed a particularly productive start to the summer, netting in his side's 3-1 win over Preston North End before scoring a first-half hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors victory over Stoke City.

Meanwhile, Diaz has not represented the Reds since the end of the 2024-25 season, and there is every chance that the ex-Porto man may have played for the Premier League champions for the final time.

Neither Diaz nor Nunez were included in Slot's matchday squad for the showdown with Milan in Hong Kong, where the Dutchman went without a recognised striker in his starting lineup.

Diaz, Nunez omitted from Liverpool squad to face Milan amid exit talk

Slot selected £116m signing Florian Wirtz to operate as his focal point, while Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott and talented teenager Rio Ngumoha formed his supporting cast.

Cody Gakpo and Ben Doak represented the Reds' attacking options on the bench, and the absences of Diaz and Nunez further suggest that both men could soon be on the way out of Anfield.

New arrival Hugo Ekitike was not involved either, but the French striker has joined up with his new teammates in Asia and could potentially make his debut against Yokohama F. Marinos next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Liverpool transfer gurus are supposedly planning to approach Newcastle United with a British-record bid for Alexander Isak, who is said to have communicated his desire to leave St James' Park this summer.

Liverpool transfer news: The latest on Diaz and Nunez's futures

While money is not an issue whatsoever at Anfield this summer, the Liverpool powers-that-be would no doubt be grateful for a double cash injection through the sales of Diaz and Nunez to help fund an Isak offer.

Bayern Munich are thought to be the leading contenders for the former, who was hitherto heavily linked with a move to Barcelona before the reigning La Liga champions signed Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United.

Bayern are understood to have failed with a first approach for the Colombia international, but they have reportedly already come forward with a fresh offer in the £58.6m range and could even go as high as £69m.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Pro League appears to be the only viable destination for Nunez, as Serie A champions Napoli withdrew their interest in the Uruguay international due to the cost of a deal.

Two Saudi clubs have apparently shown an interest in signing Nunez, who was blocked from making the move in January but will now be allowed to depart for the right price.