Liverpool close to securing deal for Porto winger Luis Diaz amid Manchester United interest
- Sean Fisher
- 28 January 2022
The Reds are closest to getting the deal over the line, with an expected fee of around £50million.
Liverpool look set to complete their first deal of the January transfer window, with Porto's Luis Diaz on their radar.
Jurgen Klopp's side hugely lack depth, especially in attacking areas, and the Merseyside club are preparing to offer him reinforcements.
The 25-year-old winger has shone in Portugal this season, scoring 14 goals in 18 league games so far.
Luis Diaz's Primeira Liga statistics:
— Sporting Life Football & Infogol (@InfogolApp) January 25, 2022
🗓 21/22
‣ 17 apps
‣ 13 goals (8.7 xG)
‣ 4 assists (4.1 xA)
🗓 20/21
‣ 30 apps
‣ 6 goals (5.1 xG)
‣ 5 assists (2.4 xA)
🗓 19/20
‣ 29 apps
‣ 6 goals (5.9 xG)
‣ 2 assists (1.4 xA) pic.twitter.com/2T88wq5p8N
Easily one of the most excitable stars in Europe at the minute, it's hardly surprising that Diaz has attracted plenty of attention worldwide.
Porto have so fair remained stubborn in their transfer approach, rejecting a £37.5million bid from Tottenham earlier this week.
Diaz' contract does have a release clause of £66million, but it seems the Portuguese side are willing to strike a deal with Liverpool for an initial £37.5million, with £12.5million in add-ons.
With Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane away at AFCON, Liverpool's lack of depth has never been clearer, and with the Reds just nine points off Manchester City at the top of the table, their interest in Diaz is a clear sign of their title intentions.
We understand that Diaz was always Klopp's ideal transfer target, but the initial plan was to move for him in the summer.
Recent interest from both Tottenham and Manchester United seems to have forced them into an early move for their desired star, with a deal likely to be completed in the following days.
To help speed up the process, Liverpool have flown a team out to South America where the Colombian international is staying for the international break.
While the deal is by no means completed, Liverpool are certainly in the driving seat, and Diaz' signature would be a major coup for new Sporting Director Julian Ward, who succeeded Michael Edwards in the summer.
