Tottenham Hotspur tried and failed to sign Luis Diaz this week.
Fabio Paratici is building a reputation for coming from nowhere with major bids for players, despite zero speculation beforehand.
During the summer, Tottenham were reported to have agreed a fee with Inter Milan for Lautaro Martinez and although it didn’t materialise, the Italian managing director has previous for these kinds of stunts.
This time it’s Diaz and a £40 million offer was tabled by the Lilywhites this week – £26 million shy of his release clause at Porto.
The Portuguese outfit rejected it swiftly and now the player is reportedly set to join Liverpool, who agreed to pay £50 million.
However, French journalist Julien Laurens has revealed to ESPN that the North Londoners were about to raise their original offer to what Liverpool are paying, just before the Anfield outfit intervened.
He told ESPN: “Absolute nightmare for them. Diaz was one of the targets. I was told today that they were ready to raise the offer. The first offer was really, really low. We’re talking £40 million and Porto laughed in their race. They were ready to match the Liverpool offer.”
Bad luck
If you’re Tottenham, this is a sickening development.
No doubt some supporters will criticise Daniel Levy or Paratici for the offer that Laurens claimed received a laugh from Porto.
But the real misfortune here is simply timing.
To be prepared to make a second offer, just before Liverpool made their interest is known, is just horrible luck for the Lilywhites.
Remember, Spurs have already failed to sign Adama Traore for the same position, with the Spanish attacker bound for Barcelona it seems.
So to miss out on a second target, in much more unfortunate circumstances, is a heartbreaker for them.
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