Liverpool closing in on Luis Diaz from FC Porto for £46m as Tottenham & Antonio Conte miss out on a second transfer target within one week

Liverpool have moved ahead of Tottenham in the race to sign FC Porto winger Luis Diaz. They are prepared to pay an initial fee of £37.5m with an extra £9m in performance-related add-ons. The Colombian was a target for Tottenham and Antonio Conte, but Liverpool have jumped to the front of the queue. Diaz, who operates predominantly on the left side of the attack, will bring serious competition for Sadio Mane. The 25-year-old Diaz has been incredible for Porto this campaign. He has scored 16 goals and assisted six more in 28 appearances. He was close to AS Roma this summer to join Jose Mourinho, but the move broke down. Everton also made contact, but Financial Fair Play (FFP) stopped them from signing him so they signed Demarai Gray.

The transfer is a massive coup for Julian Ward, who will soon be Liverpool’s sporting director when Michael Edwards steps down this summer. Julian led negotiations, assisted by the outgoing Edwards. Diaz was a primary target for Jurgen Klopp this summer but Tottenham’s move for the player accelerated plans. As for Tottenham, this is the second key target they are missing out on in the space of a week after Adama Traore chose to return to Barcelona over a move to London.