...the closest and most significant of the latter was Luis Diaz, whom The Athletic can reveal Tottenham had a signed agreement in place with Porto for him to join. The deal was believed to be for €45 million (£37.6 million) plus €15 million (£12.5 million) in add-ons, with terms also agreed with Diaz himself.
However, Diaz being away on international duty meant that the agreement wasn’t yet signed by the time it was essentially thought to have been vetoed by his Colombian agent. The representative in question is said by sources to have objected when it became apparent that Jorge Mendes had the mandate from Porto to oversee the Tottenham move. Liverpool, who were not using Mendes as an intermediary, pounced and agreed a deal at more or less the same price. The Athletic has contacted the Colombian agent for comment.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, who did everything he could to pull off the deal, was raging at the turn of events. Diaz had been enthusiastic at the prospect of joining Spurs, and some believe it would have been a better move for him given the stage of his career, but ultimately, he too was seduced by the prospect of Champions League football and working with Jurgen Klopp. Sources have indicated that Barcelona were also in for the winger and prepared to pay €5 million (£4.2 million) upfront followed by €50 million (£41.8 million) in the summer.
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To the club’s immense frustration it emerged publicly last Tuesday that they had made a €45 million (£37.6 million) bid for Porto winger Luis Diaz. This was a deal Levy was far more invested in making happen.
And he very nearly pulled it off. By Thursday morning, there was increasing confidence a deal could be done, with Porto agreeing to the move in writing, and Diaz doing so in principle.
But this was the point at which Diaz’s agent intervened. Porto, who needed the money, were very wary of the deal being scuppered and so welcomed Liverpool’s interest. Liverpool meanwhile were delighted that Spurs had effectively negotiated the price down to a fee they were willing to pay, having baulked at Diaz’s €80 million (£66.8 million) release clause earlier in the window. One of Liverpool’s scouts in South America informed Diaz’s agent that they wanted to do the deal. Liverpool’s owners were convinced by assistant sporting director Julian Ward and his current boss — and soon to be predecessor — Michael Edwards to sign it off.
Diaz was still understood to have been keen on a move to Spurs but was excited to join up with Liverpool, and the deal was agreed.
Levy was left so furious that the cordial relations he has enjoyed with Liverpool’s owners may have been seriously damaged. Some sources close to the situation believe it could lead to a period of hostility between the two clubs.
https://theathletic.com/3104063/2022/02/02/tottenhams-transfer-window-signed-agreement-for-diaz-interest-in-dembele-and-jury-out-on-paratici/