Liverpool and Everton battle to sign Luis Díaz from Porto
Everton and Liverpool will meet on the pitch this midweek in the Premier League, but the two Merseyside clubs are also set to do battle in the transfer market as they have both been linked with Porto’s Colombian winger Luis Díaz.
The 24-year-old is having a breakout campaign, with 11 goals already from his first 18 outings of the season. That includes two Champions League goals from Porto’s matches against AC Milan, with those goals worth four points and putting the Portuguese side into second place in their group.
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Where will Luis Díaz go? Liverpool or Everton?
Everton were first linked with Luis Díaz, chasing a loan deal in the summer window. Ultimately, that wasn’t possible, but the Toffees remain interested in the Colombia international.
The problem for Everton is that Liverpool have become increasingly keen too. They were already scouting the winger, while Jurgen Klopp has been impressed when going up against Luis Díaz directly in the Champions League.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Klopp has given his approval for the signing to be made, although, as is always the case at Anfield, the final word lies with the recruitment team. This transfer could even be one of the last pieces of business worked on by Michael Edwards before he leaves his sporting director role.
Luis Díaz currently has a release clause of €80m, but it is believed that Porto would be willing to negotiate a slightly lower fee. The player still won’t be cheap and this is why Record insist that Liverpool are currently in pole position to sign him, as Everton aren’t going to come close to Porto’s demands.
If Porto continue in the Champions league, which is certainly a possibility, Luis Díaz will have further opportunities to perform on Europe’s biggest stage and this could see other clubs join the two Merseyside teams in this transfer race. But, seven months out from the 2022 summer window, it’s Liverpool who are believed to be closest to securing his signature.
