Liverpool have dispatched a medical team and senior executive to South America to close out a spectacular deadline busting coup.
Anfield officials, on Friday, set off for Argentina to complete a deal for Colombia star Luis Diaz, after agreeing a fee with his club Porto that could eventually rise to £50m.
Diaz was in action for his country late on Friday night, in a World Cup qualifier against Peru, and is due to fly into Buenos Aires on Saturday for another qualifier against Argentina next week.
Liverpool have already agreed terms with the 25-year-old rising star of world football, and are hopeful of completing their medical checks over the weekend, to rubber stamp the deal before the transfer window closes on Monday night.
There are some logistical issues though, because Diaz is one booking away from a ban in the qualifiers, and if that comes late on Friday against Peru, he will stay in Colombia, with the Liverpool team diverting.
The deal represents a major coup for the Reds, after they came in late to tempt the winger to Anfield, even as he was finalising terms with Spurs, after negotiations over the past fortnight.
Liverpool have been monitoring the goal-scoring wide player for more than a year, but were preparing to make their move in the summer.
With the likes of Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs all alerted though, and with Porto striking a deal with Tottenham, they moved at the 11th hour.
It is understood Diaz was aware of their interest, and his advisors held out for a ‘higher level’, with his agents believing he was ready for the top with a powerful Champions League club.
There were also complications that will frustrate and infuriate Spurs fans, with reports in Portugal suggesting Diaz’s representatives were unhappy with the London club’s attempts to insert Jorge Mendes into the deal.
Liverpool moved swiftly when alerted, to agree a structured deal that will see them pay £37.5m down, and £12.5m in performance related add ons, that are achievable for Porto. Diaz’s first club Atletico Junior will receive £12.5m as part of a sell-on clause.
While the Mersey club’s supporters were celebrating, there was anger amongst the Tottenham fanbase, with the club also losing out on Adama Traore, with the Wolves winger choosing Barcelona instead.
