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Arch-rivals ‘close’ to beating Manchester United for 25-year-old star in £50m deal

Manchester United ready to rival Liverpool for Porto star Luis Diaz.
Manchester United rivalled Liverpool for Porto star Luis Diaz.

Liverpool look set to beat Manchester United to Luis Diaz in £50m January deal

According to reliable journalist David Maddock of the Mirror on Twitter, Manchester United look set to lose out to arch-rivals Liverpool in the race to land Porto superstar Luis Diaz.

The 25-year-old was the joint top-scorer in last summer’s Copa America and has consistently impressed for Porto this season. A dynamic player who is capable of scorching the left flank, Diaz is closing in on a move to Merseyside.

Jurgen Klopp’s side is apparently close to striking a deal for a fee of £37.5m for the Colombian international. There is also a proposed £12.5m in bonuses, potentially taking the deal to £50m. It could represent good value for money should the South American go on to fulfil his potential.

The news is a blow for Manchester United who were also keeping tabs on the player. Cristiano Ronaldo is not getting any younger while Anthony Martial’s future at Old Trafford is also unclear following his latest loan move to Sevilla. With Jadon Sancho also failing to impress, the Red Devils might need to bring in a reliable winger in the upcoming windows.

In Diaz, they could have landed a player who is young enough to be a long-term option but also a proven quantity ready to impress. While losing out on him isn’t ideal, what makes it worse is Liverpool landing the sucker punch.

Diaz to Anfield?

Klopp’s attack has lost some steam following the drop in form of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. Adding Diaz to the list will give them yet another option alongside the reliable Diogo Jota. This does not spell good news for the rest of the Premier League.

Diaz was also heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur who are keen to get Antonio Conte the tools he needs to succeed. They have fallen short of landing Adama Traore and now look set to miss out on yet another player.

Liverpool look set to beat Manchester United to Luis Diaz in £50m January deal.
Luis Diaz could be on his way to Liverpool. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)

In all honesty, we do have the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood as players who can play down that flank. But with both of them doubling up as centre-forwards in the past and in recent times, it remains to be seen if left-wing is their best position on the pitch.

As things stand, Man United have missed out on a potentially special player who could have made a difference for us in the attack. Hopefully, the sight of our rivals strengthening will force the club’s hands in the upcoming transfer window so that we will not be left behind.

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It is also important to note that official announcements from the club or the player are yet to be made regarding the move. In football, anything can happen, no matter how unlikely it may seem at this moment in time.

Written by Pranav Nair

An Engineering postgraduate with a keen interest in statistics, pop culture and football.

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