Football News: Diaz’s Liverpool Move and Tottenham’s Missed Opportunity
In the 2022 January transfer window, Colombian star Luis Diaz, then playing for Porto, was a target for top clubs across Europe. With a £66m release clause and 14 goals in 18 Primeira Liga matches, the winger was attracting significant interest.
Tottenham Hotspur were willing to pay £46m for Diaz, but their initial £37.6m bid was rejected by Porto. As Spurs hesitated, Liverpool, who had long admired the player, acted quickly and decisively. The Reds hijacked the move, offering a deal that could reach £50m, including an up-front fee of £37.5m plus potential bonuses of £12.5m.
Diaz’s father later revealed that the player had always dreamed of joining Liverpool, an “elite team” where he would “feel comfortable and have the chance to play with high-performance players.” Tottenham were left disappointed, as Diaz went on to have an electric start to his Liverpool career, registering four goals and three assists in the remaining 13 matches of the 2021/22 season.
However, Diaz’s 2022/23 campaign was plagued by injury, and his absence was sorely felt as Liverpool limped to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Tottenham, who used much of the Diaz money to sign Richarlison, ended up finishing eighth.
As the 2024/25 season approaches, Diaz is in good form, having scored twice in a 4-1 win over Sevilla. The Colombian has even been linked with moves to Manchester City, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as clubs in Saudi Arabia, though Liverpool have denied these rumors.
Football enthusiasts will be keen to see how Diaz’s career progresses, and whether Liverpool can reclaim their spot at the top of the Premier League, Champions League, and other domestic and international competitions.
🔗 Source