Liverpool ace Luis Diaz's father is reportedly close to being freed by his captors after police in Colombia confirmed the 'release process' is underway.

Colombian radio station LA FM said Luis Manuel Diaz will first be transported to the Colombian city of Valledupar. From there, he'll be taken back to Diaz's hometown of Barrancas, where he and his wife were first abducted last month.

It was confirmed last week that the Colombian terrorist group, Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN), were responsible for Diaz Sr's kidnapping from a Barrancas petrol station on October 28. Diaz's mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was also abducted in the same incident, though she was rescued the following day while her partner remained captive.

But more than a week after the Colombian military ignited a 'major search' for Diaz's dad, the pair are set to be reunited. That's if local reports in Colombia and Venezuela are to be believed regarding recent developments.

The ELN have been in contact with authorities since their part in the kidnapping was uncovered. That includes communication with Colombia's President, Gustavo Petro, though it was briefly feared a breakdown in the channels may have resulted in any chances of retrieval being spoiled.

That display only heightened awareness around the kidnapping, which had already become a global headline. And if all goes to plan, 'Mane Diaz' could be free 'in a matters of hours'.

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LA FM added the detail that Diaz will reportedly be handed over to a representative of the Catholic church when he is taken to Valledupar. Previous reports indicated the ELN had initiated plans to release Diaz Sr before it emerged those claims were 'plagiarism' and not entirely accurate.

Liverpool ace Diaz will hope the plans prove genuine on this occasion, with dozens of family members and friends gathered in Barrancas anticipating his return. Meanwhile, it's uncertain whether Diaz will have any part in Jurgen Klopp's squad for Thursday's Europa League clash against Toulouse.