Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal target Liverpool's Luis Diaz with '£43 million' swoop

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal will launch a £43 million bid for Liverpool forward Luis Diaz, according to reports. 

A formal approach is expected from the Riyadh club - one of the 'Big Four' Saudi sides financed by Riyadh's Public Investment Fund (PIF) - despite Liverpool making it clear they are not willing to sell the Colombian international.

Diaz signed for Liverpool last year for a fee of £37 million. Given the winger is still only 26 with four years remaining on his contract, it remains unlikely that a £43 million bid would be enough for Al-Hilal to prise him away from Anfield.  

Al-Hilal has been the biggest spender in Saudi Arabia so far - forking out £100 million since receiving the financial backing of the PIF - and might be willing to splash out more to attract Diaz.

Unlike the approaches by many Saudi clubs to snatch veteran players - such as Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante - Al-Hilal have signed players at the peak of their careers.

This includes 29-year-old Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio, 26-year-old Ruben Neves from Wolves, and Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea, with the Senegalese international viewed as one of the best defenders in the world.

The alleged move from Al-Hilal for Diaz came as Liverpool faced interest from Saudi clubs for two other key players.

Al-Ettifaq, managed by Anfield legend Steven Gerrard, are allegedly gearing up for a megabucks offer for club captain Jordan Henderson, with the only sticking point being whether the Dammam side will pay the £10-20 million fee Liverpool are allegedly demanding.

Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad’s interest in Brazilian defensive midfielder Fabinho have reached such a stage that he was left out of the Reds’ pre-season tour of Germany.