KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Luis Diaz: Liverpool sign winger from Porto in 5 year deal

Liverpool have signed Colombia winger Luis Diaz from Porto in a deal worth 45m euros (£37.5m), with a further 15m euros (£12.5m) in potential bonuses.

Diaz has signed a contract until 2027 with the Merseyside club.

The 25-year-old had previously been linked with a move to Tottenham, who reportedly had a bid of around £38m rejected.

"I'm very happy to sign for Liverpool," the international said on Sunday via the club's official Twitter account.

Diaz requires a work permit and is unlikely to arrive in Liverpool until the end of next week at the earliest.

He has scored 14 goals and provided five assists in 18 league appearances this season for Porto, who are top of Portugal's Primeira Liga.

Diaz was Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's main target for the summer transfer window, when the asking price would have been closer to £50m but the Reds changed their stance when it became clear the winger could move elsewhere if they did not act.

'He seemed to have malnutrition problems' - Diaz's journey from neglected corner of Colombia
"I could not be happier that we've been able to get this deal done and bring Luis to Liverpool", Klopp said.

"I have always been a believer in only signing players in January if you would want to sign them in the summer, and that's very much the case with Luis.

"He is an outstanding player and someone we've been tracking for a very long time.

"This team deserved to add quality and when we played against Luis earlier this season, we saw what a danger he is, how fast he is and how his mentality was to help his team."

Diaz is currently on international duty with Colombia for World Cup qualifying matches.

Liverpool sent a delegation to Argentina - where Colombia play on Tuesday - to conduct a medical so the move could be completed before the January transfer window closed.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60180371

I've been reading how Porto had to sell somebody in this window because of financial difficulties. The release clause in his Porto contract stood at £67 million. So FSG managed to save £20 million by capturing him now instead of the summer.

One would have to think that if a big enough offer came in for the likes of Bobby, Mane or Salah, FSG will be looking to recoup that Diaz money and more.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Stevie G come in for the Bobby in this window knowing how FSG operate!

This seems like a very good signing but where does he fit in?

Is he a starter or an understudy for Mane?

What does this mean for the development of Curtis Jones? Surely less game time for him.

We are still in all competitions so other than being cup tied for CL, Diaz will get plenty of chances to play. Hopefully some competition for Mane, will see Mane up his game to the player of 2 seasons ago.

As for Curtis, I don't think this will have an effect because Diaz will be used wide left rather than in midfield where Curtis has been playing.

This is how FSG operate, nothing wrong with it IMO, bringing in a replacement before selling on a star makes sense, I expect Bobby will be sold as he is oldest and we have seen the most drop off in recent years, all 3 forwards contracts are coming to an end and they are in/approaching their early 30's, so it is sensible we are looking to replace long term.

There will be plenty of games for the likes of Jones & Elliott, who are much younger and being developed.

From the clips I have seen he looks a good player, played in Portugal & CL so should be ok in the PL, looks like we have been after him for a while, so good we got him when Spurt & Utd showed an interest.

Shrewd bit o work, get in ! The end for Mane perhaps ?

Maybe long term, but Diaz is another option, I always thought Mane could go down the middle effectively, so maybe move him there, I can see us rotating the 5, lots of games and we often had to play the likes of Mane when he was off form and needed a break, more of an end for Origi and Taki I think.

Mirror website is saying he going to get the no 23 shirt but could be awarded the no 7 shirt in the summer as Milner is leaving in the summer. I knew Milner was out of contract in the summer but is it official that he is leaving?

I have not seen any official announcements, makes sense if he is leaving, didn't he want to play for Leeds again before he retires? if he does he needs to do it soon.

Yup I think it would make sense for him to leave this summer as he did say he wanted to go back to his hometown club before he leaves.

Has been a great servant to LFC but would like to see a more attacking player wear the iconic no 7 shirt.