Liverpool are usually not very active in the transfer market in winter – they prefer to close deals in the summer. But this January pleased with an exception: 25-year-old Colombian winger Luis Diaz was discharged for Klopp from Porto.
Price tag of Diaz
The issue price is 45 million euros and 15 million in the form of bonuses. Contract until 2027, salary – 90 thousand pounds a week. The medical examination took place in South America – Diaz left for the Colombian national team for the qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup. The procedure itself was not easy: in order not to violate the covid protocol, the doctors flew to Argentina, where they got access to the player. For this, Klopp separately thanked the Colombian football officials. January 28 Jamie Carragher celebrated his birthday. To congratulations from Liverpool’s official Twitter account, Jamie replied: “Diaz’s transfer would be a nice gift.”
Long-term interest in Diaz
Liverpool wanted to take Diaz in the summer. Porto’s problems with the FFP and Tottenham’s activity forced them to speed up. Liverpool have long noticed Diaz – The Athletic writes that the scouts of the English club have been leading the player since the days of playing in Colombian clubs. The transfer seemed vague in winter: clubs are usually less accommodating and prices are higher. Yes, and in the contract of Diaz with Porto, a release clause of 80 million euros is prescribed, Liverpool spends such amounts only in exceptional cases.
But Porto was under the threat of sanctions from UEFA – the club did not fit into the framework of financial fair play, so the Portuguese urgently needed money. Diaz is the club’s most sought-after asset, which is why they almost came just for him in the first place.
Rafa’s interest in Diaz
In the summer, Luis was actively interested in Everton Rafa Benitez, before that the Colombian could be Brighton and Zenith. In January, Manchester United and Barcelona were reported to be interested, but Tottenham became the main contender for the winger. The Londoners made an offer that suited Porto – and it was significantly lower than the 80 million euro release clause specified in the contract. Liverpool intervened at this very moment: the Merseysiders found out about a serious discount and negotiations with Tottenham and decided not to lose a football player who had been leading for several years. The offer was not as profitable as that of the London club – he immediately offered 60 million euros without bonuses. But Porto agreed to a smaller fix with bonuses – taking into account the desire of the player himself. Everything was done beautifully. Porto needed to pay off their debt obligations by January 31 – so Liverpool paid about 8 million euros even before the medical. For the Portuguese to solve their money problems and not be left without European cups for three seasons.
The success of the negotiations is the first great achievement of Julian Ward. In the summer, Ward will become the new sporting director of Liverpool – the legendary Michael Edwards is ending his contract, they will not renew it. Edwards himself refused, because he is looking for new challenges in his career, and now he gently transfers things – negotiations on Diaz took place under his supervision. However, here Ward himself did a good job. A few years ago, Julian worked as an analyst for the Portuguese national team, then he was the main scout for the Merseysideiders in Spain and Portugal – old connections helped him a lot.