Ex-Man Utd and Chelsea striker told Luis Diaz to join Liverpool this January

Colombia superstars Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez reportedly urged fellow countryman Luis Diaz to join Liverpool when the winger sought their advice over a January transfer.

Tottenham had been favourites to sign Diaz earlier this month, with Antonio Conte desperate to replenish his squad, but Liverpool went on to agree a deal with Porto after hijacking their rivals’ move for the 25-year-old.

Liverpool are set to pay £37.5million up front for Diaz plus a further £12.5m in add-ons, taking the total value of the deal to £50m – a significant reduction on the player’s £66.5m release clause.

The Reds had initially planned to make Diaz their primary target for the summer transfer window, but Spurs’ approach saw them step up their interest and accelerate a bid for his services this winter.

The Colombia international, who is expected to put pen to paper on a five-year contract worth around £90,000-a-week, will provide competition for Jurgen Klopp’s all-star attack of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino on Merseyside.

According to The Daily Mirror, Diaz spoke with Falcao and Rodriguez when Liverpool came calling – and both told him to push through a switch to Anfield despite their respective ties with Manchester United and Everton.

Diaz followed in Falcao’s footsteps when he swapped South America for Porto back in 2019 and the winger has gone on to score 41 goals in 125 appearances for the Primeira Liga outfit.

‘I am very happy for him,’ Falcao said when asked about Diaz’s potential.

‘Going to Porto in Europe gave him the ability to understand and analyse the game better. He knows how to play, he knows what to do.’

Manchester United were credited with an interest in Diaz by some outlets, but the Red Devils are said to be ‘bemused’ by claims they have been beaten to the Colombian’s signature this January.

Liverpool are expected to announce Diaz’s arrival in the next 48 hours, with club officials flying out to Argentina – where Colombia play on Tuesday – to oversee the player’s medical.

However, Diaz’s visa issues are yet to be resolved and the player will likely have to wait until the end of the week to make the trip to England.

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