Liverpool will not move for Porto forward Luis Diaz, contrary to reports.
The Sun – for obvious reasons not the place to go to for Liverpool rumours – seemed strangely confident that the Reds would bring in Luis Diaz to alleviate their AFCON panic this month.
Diaz has been linked with a move to Anfield for some time but the departures of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane for a few weeks was said to have accelerated that interest.
MAILBOX: Marcus Rashford helping feed hungry children is best trophy
Jurgen Klopp would ideally wait until the summer to pursue the Porto forward but AFCON absences and a Covid outbreak might force his hand.
Liverpool got a closer look at Diaz during this season’s Champions League group stage – he had three shots and key passes each in two Porto defeats – and the report claimed they were ‘hoping to get him for slightly less’ than his £67m release clause.
But The Athletic actually asked Liverpool (the cheek!) and ‘senior Anfield sources insist Diaz is not on the agenda for January’.
Given that he would only be back-up in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, the price tag is viewed as prohibitive; he’s valued at around half of the figure in his release clause.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have reportedly told Newcastle what they will need to pay £7million sign Divock Origi this month, as Eddie Howe looks to bolster his attacking options.
Callum Wilson’s injury has forced Howe’s hand somewhat, with the striker set to be out for at least six weeks with a calf injury.
The Belgium international’s contract expires at the end of the season but the Reds hold an option to extend his deal for another year.
But the report claims Origi ‘wants to move on’ and despite losing both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool ‘will not stand in the way’ of an exit this month.
Along with Origi, Newcastle are also said to be interested in Bournemouth‘s Dominic Solanke and Arsenal‘s Eddie Nketiah, while an enquiry has been made over Norwich‘s Todd Cantwell.
The post Liverpool dismiss Diaz transfer over ‘prohibitive’ price appeared first on Football365.