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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlotte Coates

Antonio Conte opens up on failed Tottenham Hotspur bid for Luis Diaz before Liverpool move

Antonio Conte has opened up on Tottenham Hotspur's failed attempt at signing Luis Diaz in January.

Spurs' move accelerated Liverpool's pursuit of the Colombian and they quickly made a deal with Porto for his signature.

And Diaz has become a fan favourite at Anfield since his switch at the end of the transfer window, scoring five times in 21 appearances.

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The 25-year-old was named in the Liverpool line-up for their visit of Tottenham this evening. And before the match, Conte spoke about a transfer that never was.

"We knew [Diaz] was a top player," said the Spurs boss. I think [managing director of football Fabio] Paratici tried to see the possibility to sign him, but in the same way, we signed [Dejan] Kulusevski and to see the capacity of this player to come into our team, like Rodrigo Bentancur.

"When there is an important player, it is important to try to sign him because you know a top player will improve your team and the quality of your squad. If you want to win something, for sure you need players at the top, not medium level players."

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