Liverpool have two January options in Luis Diaz transfer pursuit as Porto name price

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Liverpool are reportedly looking to kick off their January transfer business with a move for Porto winger Luis Diaz at the turn of the year. The Reds led a quiet summer recruitment drive, with Ibrahima Konate becoming the only player to seal a pre-season switch to Anfield back in May.

However, it seems as though Liverpool could soon be making one or two additions to their squad as the January window draws nearer.

They are said to be on the lookout for a new forward to provide the likes of Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota with some additional competition for places.

Diaz is admired by those in command on Merseyside and has been earmarked as a potential option in the mid-season market, according to Calciomercato.

The report claims that Liverpool are keen to land the 24-year-old but will be forced to shell out around £50million to meet Porto’s demands.

This is due to the widespread level of interest in Diaz, who has also been linked with Roma and Newcastle United in recent weeks.

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Diaz certainly knows where the goal is, having scored 11 times in all competitions this season, and could prove to be a shrewd addition for Liverpool if they can push a January move over the line.

However, it remains to be seen whether they will be prepared to match Porto’s asking price ahead of the Premier League run-in.

Liverpool could be inclined to try and tempt Diaz’s current employers with a part-exchange deal in order to drive down his valuation.

The Reds have a number of talented fringe players with the ability to do a job at Porto if they are sent over in the new year.

Takumi Minamino would offer a like-for-like replacement for Diaz, with the Japanese forward able to play on either wing.

He has struggled to fit into Jurgen Klopp’s plans at Liverpool since joining the club from Red Bull Salzburg in January of last year.

However, Minamino is still a handy player and showed flashes of brilliance during his six-month loan spell at Southampton last season.

Liverpool may also decide to include Divock Origi as part of a deal to sign Diaz, with the former able to replace the latter’s goal threat for Porto.

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He is comfortable playing anywhere across a front three despite struggling to earn regular first-team minutes at Anfield and still has plenty of time on his side at 26 years of age.

Origi will also be out of contract in the summer and could soon emerge as the perfect candidate to be used as a makeweight in January.

It remains to be seen whether Porto would entertain a player-plus-cash offer from Liverpool, but it could be an option for the Reds to explore if they want to save money to fund moves for other signings.

Whatever happens, it will be crucial for the six-time European champions to make the right decisions in January in order to strengthen their hopes of a second Premier League title in three years.

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