Luis Diaz: Liverpool sign Porto winger on five-and-a-half-year deal for initial fee of £37m | Transfer Centre News
Liverpool have signed winger Luis Diaz from Porto for an initial fee of £37m.
The 25-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Premier League side and will wear the number 23 shirt.
The fee for Diaz could rise to as much as £49m if potential add-ons are triggered during his time at Anfield.
The Colombia international was a top target for manager Jurgen Klopp in the summer, but interest from Tottenham this month accelerated their plans.
Spurs wanted to sign Diaz during the current window and were willing to pay up to £46m, but the winger preferred a move to Liverpool.
Diaz underwent a medical in Argentina as he is on international duty with Colombia for their World Cup qualifiers.
The deal represents a big coup for Julian Ward, who is set to succeed Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards in the summer, as he took the reins in negotiations.
Diaz requires a work permit to enter the UK, meaning he is unlikely to arrive in Liverpool until the end of next week at the earliest.
Liverpool’s next match is at home to Cardiff in the FA Cup on Sunday, February 6.
What will Diaz bring to Liverpool?
A quick glance at his headline stats in the Portuguese Primeira Liga this season suggests the 25-year-old provides a serious goal threat – but also offers so much more.
The winger ranks top for goals, shots and touches in the opposition box and is among the elite for winning back possession in the final third, creating chances, attempting fast breaks, aerials, dribbling and passes in the attacking third.
The maps below narrow down his goal threat to Champions League appearances over the past two seasons and reveal Diaz is most potent from his favoured left channel, frequently carving chances for team-mates with diagonals into the box.
Besides scoring goals, his most striking attribute is participation in overall play, with above-average numbers for passes in the final third – but the graphic below suggests Diaz also frequently tracks back to support the team.
When visualising his goal and passing averages, Diaz emerges among an elite crop of players in Europe’s top leagues, with returns on par with Karim Benzema and Mohamed Salah.
His heat map below emphasises his work-rate with concentrations of activity in his defensive half, while his ability to reclaim possession high up the pitch would certainly suit a high-press style.
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