Romano: Liverpool yet to make contact for South American ace with big release clause

Transfer News: Liverpool have not made any offer to Porto for Luis Diaz

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano (h/t Mirror), Liverpool have not initiated any talks with Porto for the signature of Luis Diaz. 

Luis Diaz has given consistent performances for the last few seasons. The Columbian forward experienced a successful Copa America campaign and was the top scorer alongside Lionel Messi. The 24-year-old is currently wreaking havoc in the Portuguese league and already has 15 goals and six assists in 25 appearances.

Notably, the left-winger scored in both legs against AC Milan in the group stages of this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with Diaz in recent times. However, Fabrizio Romano claims that Reds haven’t opened the negotiation until now. 

It seems, in order to sign the winger with the £67million release clause, Liverpool have to sell Divock Origi. However, Jurgen Klopp recently made his stance clear about the Belgian, suggesting that the German would want to keep hold of the Reds forward until his contract expires in the summer. 

No Diaz to Anfield?

Liverpool still haven’t completed the renewal of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. It seems the Reds board has made it their priority to bind the Egyptian forward to a new deal before investing in reinforcements. 

Even though Salah and Mane will be our top two wingers regardless of Diaz’s potential arrival, the German manager has to be logical about the long-term future of the club. In 2-3 years, our famed front three of Salah, Mane, and Roberto Firmino would be nearer to the twilight of their respective careers, and without quality backups, Liverpool would have to face a bumpy transitional period. 

Mane, in fact, has already looked like a pale shadow of his former self. His form in the past weeks has been questionable. Diaz, if he is signed, could compete with Mane for starts down the left-hand side and could even be one of Salah or Mane’s long-term successors.

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Diaz has proved his worth against top European teams and international sides. The Colombian has an admirable work rate and likes to attack wide areas. The Porto #7 would certainly make a lot of attacks stronger just by joining those teams.

Hopefully, Anfield turns out to be his destination later this month. Signing him as soon as possible would also give us ample time for him to adjust to our team’s set-up.