Liverpool might have a big decision to make on Luis Díaz this summer. The Colombian has had a solid enough season — and in testing circumstances — but the speculation that he could move on has never gone away completely.

A report from The Telegraph last month sparked speculation that he could be sold, with PSG known to be an admirer. Barcelona is also interested in Díaz, the report said, but its financial issues mean a move is unlikely, with the player said to be valued at around $94m (£75m/€88m).

Now, it appears that behind the scenes, some at Liverpool have already contemplated that the winger may move on. According to the Liverpool ECHO, the prospect of losing Díaz has been 'openly discussed' at the AXA Training Centre and there are 'whispers' that a decision could be presented.

That probably stems, at least in part, from how often the forward's father has spoken about an exit. On plenty of occasions now, he has mentioned the possibility of a transfer to Spain. Whether Real Madrid would be keen in the same summer as signing Kylian Mbappé can be questioned, though, and while Barcelona might want him, it almost certainly can't afford him.

Given that Díaz is 27 and has two years left on his contract, though, there is a question to some degree. If you're cashing in, you do it now, realistically, to get the most out of his value, and there are several stars above him in the pecking order when it comes to needing new deals first.

The question for Liverpool is simple: has it already seen his peak or can Díaz go up another notch? A serious injury and then what happened with his father's kidnapping are clear mitigations — but there are those who (legitimately) argue that his productivity isn't at the required level.

This season, Díaz has scored 13 goals (or 14 if you count the Spurs one that should have been awarded) and he has hit the post a good few times. It wouldn't have taken much to go differently for him to get nearer the 20-goal mark, which only adds to the dilemma.

For comparison, only in his first season did Sadio Mané score as few as 13 goals for Liverpool. His other five seasons read as follows for goals: 20, 26, 22, 16 and 23. That is closer to the level that Liverpool requires from a key starting XI player.

But incoming Liverpool boss Arne Slot loves wingers, and there are not loads out there who are better. "I asked Dennis (Te Kloese, the CEO) at the beginning of the season for a lot of wingers, because you can’t expect every winger to perform in every single game and outplay their opponents. So that’s why they are the players substituted most often," he told The Athletic.

Adding to the roster of forwards that Liverpool already has would make the most sense, rather than losing any of those players. And getting an upgrade would be tricky.

Would Leeds United forward Crysencio Summerville (who has been linked with a move to Anfield, via Dutch outlet 1908.nl) come in and be an immediate upgrade? It seems unlikely. Though he has 20 goals in the Championship this season, the step up to a Champions League-level club is steep.

Summerville isn't the only player on the table, of course, but finding someone instantly better than Díaz in terms of goal output would not be easy or cheap. In a summer of change, then, sticking with what you know might be the safest option, perhaps adding another attacker to the mix to ease the burden.