For Tottenham Hotspur, one of the most important aspects of the future revolves around signings. Recently, coach Antonio Conte was quick to discuss the ‘strange’ nature of previous signings. Speaking indirectly about the decision to loan out club record signing Tanguy Ndombele, Conte had made clear that he was not impressed with how the club has been making signings in recent years.
One player the club was heavily linked with during January was Luis Diaz. The Colombian winger had been showing incredible form for club side FC Porto and the Colombian national team for the last 12-18 months. Many teams had him on their radar – but Spurs found Porto in a surprisingly open mood to sell a key asset due to transfer debts.
Discussions took place, but by the time the reports of a deal were in the press other teams had moved. Long-term admirers Liverpool swooped in to sign the Colombian, and completed a deal in excess of £45m prior to the transfer window closing.
Now, according to the father of the player, Spurs were ‘caught’ by Liverpool who simply desired to do the deal more. In what sounds like a recurring issue for the club, dallying over getting the deal done allowed for another rival to swoop in and make sure the deal was done ahead of time.
This left a bitter taste in the mouth for Spurs fans, seeing Conte let down due to transfer dithering. Given the fact that the club even hired Conte, it was expected they would do everything they could to impress the Italian. A tardy January window which eventually seen two high-class signings, though, might not have been the best way to endear themselves to the tempestuous tactician.
What was said about Luis Diaz and Tottenham?
Spurs fans have long complained about how Daniel Levy and co. do business. The structure of deals can become complex, but it appears that Spurs look to always come out having ‘won’ every deal, even when occasionally a compromise has to be made.
Diaz’s father, though, was clear that Spurs – and AS Roma – were too slow to make a deal happen. Luis Manuel Diaz was picked by Colombian radio station Bluradio, and was quoted as saying regarding a deal for his son: “There were many suitors who wanted Luis’ services, but he had the dream of reaching Liverpool. Because Liverpool are an elite team,
“Tottenham was one. Roma was also left behind in the process. They hesitated a lot and let themselves be caught by Liverpool. Liverpool were faster than them, they needed him and they took him away.”
So, it does sound like Spurs managed to blow up an achievable deal for a player who already looks like a great signing for the Merseyside team. A two-footed winger with goals and assists aplenty along with natural pace and trickery? It sounds like exactly the kind of player that Spurs, and Conte, were coveting to help improve on what has become a lopsided, one-paced Spurs team.
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