Liverpool and Luis Diaz reportedly have a ‘verbal agreement’ but hope to sign a contract to make it official as a €65million move to Anfield is very close.
With supporters buzzing over the impending swoop for Liga Nos’ best player, it now seems to be a case of how soon the relevant paperwork and protocols can be completed before Liverpool can announce him as a Red.
According to Pipe Sierra, who was the first to break the news that Liverpool had beaten off Tottenham and won the race to sign Diaz from Porto, Jurgen Klopp’s side has a “verbal agreement to become a new Liverpool player.
“The ‘Reds’ have a long-term contract ready for him that he hopes to sign in the next few hours.
“The Colombian will arrive from Porto for €45m + €15m in bonuses. Junior will receive €9m.”
It speaks volumes about highly Liverpool rate Diaz that they accelerated their summer plans to sign him once Tottenham solidified their interest in the form of a bid.
The Reds swooped in and made the Colombian theirs and while FSG have been criticised very heavily by many fans (myself included), they deserve credit for taking the initiative to sign a player that could be the difference this summer.
MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 01: Liverpool owner John Henry hugs Liverpool Head Coach / Manager Jurgen Klopp at the end of the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 1, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Pessimists would argue they only made their move out of necessity as they might have lost out on Diaz had they not signed him this month but either way, the owners backed Klopp when the moment presented itself and that’s all we as fans can ask for.
Now, the owners need to do right by Mohamed Salah and Liverpool’s attack will look very tasty until 2023 at least which will give the Americans time to figure out what to do with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
The latter is already 30 while Mane (and Salah) will be 30 by the summer and so deciding on their futures is no easy task especially given all that they’ve done to elevate Liverpool Football Club back to the level it belongs at.
Diaz arriving this season should see Mane’s form spike as we saw Andy Robertson’s do due to the fine displays turned in by Kostas Tsimikas. It’s going to be a fascinating battle between the two forwards for game time in a starting role.
