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Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of sealing the £60million signing of Porto winger Luis Diaz.
The Colombian, 24, has become one of Europe’s hottest properties during an impressive spell with the Portuguese outfit.
Jurgen Klopp has been left short-handed in forward options with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane headed to the Africa Cup of Nations this month.
But The Sun claim the Reds are on the brink of sealing the big-money signing to ease the burden, with Roberto Firmino struggling for match fitness and Divock Origi rumoured to be set for an Anfield exit.
Klopp was reportedly going to wait until the summer to secure the signing but a combination of injury problems and key players being unavailable has seen the German act now.
Diaz shone for Porto in both Champions League group games against Liverpool and is said to have impressed the opposing manager.
After producing 11 goals and six assists last season, Diaz was one of the stars of the Copa America, finishing as joint-top scorer with Lionel Messi on four.
He has continued that form this season, managing 12 league strikes and two Champions League goals so far.
In other news
Newcastle have rejected a bid from Everton for Sean Longstaff with the Magpies keen to extend the midfielder’s current deal which expires in the summer, according to The Shields Gazette.
Longstaff played under Toffees manager Rafa Benitez at St James’ Park and has been mentioned as a potential makeweight in a deal which would see left-back Lucas Digne go the other way.
Todd Cantwell is another player who could head to Tyneside, with Sky Sports reporting that Newcastle and one other club are interested in signing the Norwich midfielder.
The 23-year-old has started only twice under manager Dean Smith, and the report indicates the Canaries would accept a bid in the region of £15-20m.
The Athletic say Tottenham are ready to make a fresh approach for Wolves winger Adama Traore.
The 25-year-old was close to joining Spurs in the summer and now Antonio Conte is weighing up a new move which would see Matt Doherty return to Molineux in a part-exchange.
