Everton are hoping to complete a £21.5 million deal to sign Colombian winger Luis Diaz from FC Porto, with James Rodriguez expected to move the opposite direction in a season-long loan.
According to journalist Ryan Taylor, Everton are close to finalizing an agreement to complete a sensational swoop for FC Porto winger Luis Diaz, with James Rodriguez set to move to the opposite direction.
The Merseyside outfit are on the verge of completing their first big-money move this summer, with Colombian forward Luis Diaz likely to arrive from Porto in a deal worth £21.5 million in transfer fee. Everton boss Rafael Benitez is also looking to solve two problems at once by offsetting an unhappy James Rodriguez to his former club.
However, the deal is far from completed as of yet, and while positive talks were conducted over the weekend, Porto are still to agree to personal terms with the former Real Madrid man. The Portuguese giants are refusing to involve James Rodriguez in the deal due to the player’s hefty wages and are demanding much more than the current offer for winger Diaz.
Everton have to make an improved offer in order to get these negotiations in motion. The clock is ticking fast, with deadline fast approaching. The only good news for Evertonian’s is that Diaz wants to make the move to Goodison.
After progressing through the youth ranks at native Colombian clubs Barranquilla FC and Junior FC, the promising youngster was scouted by Porto and joined them in the summer of 2019. Since arriving at Estádio do Dragão, the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the consistent performers, amassing 101 appearances for the Dragons and has scored 27 goals and assisted further 14 in the process.
Diaz had a strong 2020/21 campaign, but it was his endeavours Copa America 2021 that brought the Colombian international to the limelight. The dynamic winger, who can operate on the left flank or as a central striker, finished the competition as the joint-leading goalscorer alongside Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Peru’s Gianluca Lapadula.
Despite a bright start under Rafa Benitez’s reign, which saw the Blues go undefeated from their first four matches, there is indeed a belief that further additions are essential if Everton wants to have a successful season under the Spaniard. The Toffees have already made low-risk signings of Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend, who have made an immediate impact since joining, but the options behind them are very limited.
With the possible exits of Moise Kean and James Rodriguez looming large, as well as PSG’s rumoured 11th-hour interest in Richarlison, the need for a winger has only risen.
Diaz’ flexibility allows him to act as a backup to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, which is a certain plus for Everton. It’s a sensible signing that Everton should go all out for. What now remains to be seen is whether or not Toffees can up their bid to secure the signing of the Colombian international, or set their sights on other alternatives, with Jesse Lingard being recently mooted as an option.
