Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool decided to make a move for Luis Diaz in the January transfer window because of Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur, according to The Athletic.
The Athletic have reported that Liverpool were planning to make a move for FC Porto winger Diaz in the summer of 2022, and not this month.
The former Premier League champions reportedly did not want to pay the Colombia international winger’s release clause of €80 million (£66.6 million).
However, according to the report, Tottenham making a move for the 25-year-old this week and Porto willing to reduce their demands saw Liverpool make an offer of their own.
The Athletic have reported that Liverpool are now on the verge of signing Diaz for €45 million (£37.5 million) initially with a further €15 million (£12.5 million) to potentially follow in add-ons.
Luis Diaz to Liverpool blow for Tottenham Hotspur
In our view, Liverpool signing Diaz is great for Klopp, but a disappointment for Tottenham.
Especially as Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte has missed out on another of his January transfer targets, winger Adama Traore to Barcelona.
Diaz is a very good winger who plays on the left and is at the right age to make the step-up from Porto to Liverpool.
The Porto no. 7 has scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 18 league appearances so far this season.
Diaz scored six goals and gave five assists in 16 league starts for Porto last season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
