Liverpool are reportedly pushing hard to complete a deal to sign Luis Diaz from Porto this month in a move that could see them bulldoze their way back into the Premier League title race.
On Wednesday, several Portuguese sources revealed that despite an offer from Spurs to Porto, Diaz remains unconvinced by their project and is drawn by the allure of playing for Liverpool.
Jornal de Noticias, via Paisley Gates, reports that Liverpool are pushing to sign Diaz and Jurgen Klopp wants to bring him in before the deadline this month but will need to pay close to his €80million (£66m) release clause.
There are a few issues with this as mentioned in Wednesday’s coverage of the Diaz story when it broke.
O Jogo, via Sport Witness, stated that the forward is happy to stay at Porto until the end of the season as he wants to help the Portuguese side win Liga Nos as they are 6 points clear of Sporting Lisbon.
As Jornal de Noticias claim, via Paisley Gates, Liverpool have not given up and press to seal the signature of the Colombian before the 11 pm deadline on January 31st in a move that could help Liverpool fire their way back into the Premier League title race.
The Reds are 9 points behind Manchester City but with a little bit of luck and a potentially blockbuster signing, there is no reason why Jurgen Klopp can’t guide his side back into the title race.
If Liverpool win their game in hand, they will be just 6 points behind and then they are due to play City in April which, with a win, could see the deficit halved to just 3 points.
Diaz has scored 16 goals and assisted 6 more this season while his direct play and pressing will have indirectly helped create several more for Porto this season and so signing him will help Sadio Mane reach his previous heights as well as ensuring Klopp has a constant goal threat from the left.
The former Atletico Junior star could be a genuine Kop favourite if he is able to translate his form in Portugal to the Premier League although there are no guarantees even if Klopp is your manager.
It’s a risky move to make and one that Liverpool don’t tend to make, preferring to shop in the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A.
That said, from Luis Suarez to Philippe Coutinho to Alisson Becker, this club has an affinity for South Americans whether it’s due to their hard-working nature or their entertaining style of play, I’m not sure.
What I am sure of is that if Liverpool sign him, he’s able to learn quickly from Klopp and he hits the ground running, signing him could be a fantastic way to reinvigorate the squad and spark some competition for places.
The good news is that Record, via Sport Witness, claims that the player admires the Anfield outfit and is keen on a move to Merseyside.