Everton hope to include James Rodriguez as a makeweight in a last-ditch deal to sign Porto winger Luis Diaz before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Manager Rafa Benitez and Director of Football Marcel Brands have identified Diaz as a target they want at Goodison Park. The 24-year-old winger has two goals in three Primeira Liga appearances already this season, after netting 11 times last term.
Diaz also offered six assists over 47 games in all competitions during 2020/21 from the left-wing of Sergio Conceicao’s side. His strikes included goals against Manchester City and Marseille in the Champions League, plus in the Supertaca final against Benfica.
Everton hope to finalise a deal for Diaz before Tuesday’s deadline, but the move hinges on Rodriguez joining Porto. The Portuguese outfit value their Colombia forward at circa £30m, but Brands hopes to reduce the fee to closer to £20m by including the Toffees’ Colombian.
Benitez has made it clear that Everton can only sign players before the window slams shut if they offload players. That is why Rodriguez is being considered as a £10m makeweight, which Goodison Park chiefs believe will be enough to tempt Porto into selling Diaz to them.
The Estadio do Dragao natives have shown an interest in re-signing Rodriguez this summer, eight-years after selling him to Monaco. That’s according to Correio da Manha, who noted super-agent Jorge Mendes could unlock the transfer as Rodriguez is not in Benitez’s plans.
Everton face strong competition for Porto winger Diaz, despite Rodriguez swap
Everton could face strong competition in any attempts to sign Porto winger Diaz, despite proposing Rodriguez in part-exchange. South American football expert Tim Vickery has told Sky Sports News (27/8, 12:27) that Tottenham and Chelsea have recently shown interest.
Vickery additionally noted Liverpool, too, have monitored his situation previously. While sharing what Everton can expect from Porto winger Diaz if brought to Goodison Park:
“There’s been a fair bit of Premier League interest in Diaz over the last couple of years from Liverpool. More recently, I’m led to understand, from both Tottenham and Chelsea. He’s a winger, usually plays wide-left cutting in onto his right-foot, there’s a goal in him.
“He had a fantastic Copa America. Scored four goals, and each of them was better than the last. They were sensational goals.”
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