Tottenham Hotspur are in a battle to make the top four. The drop in form by Chelsea and Arsenal has amplified their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, but they still have a battle with Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The arrival of Antonio Conte seems to have galvanised the North London side, but the malaise that trailed the club while Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo were there remains. Conte has continued to scream from the rooftops that he needs reinforcements as the present squad does not have the quality and mentality to challenge for titles.
Spurs are in the market for a winger and have set their sights on Adama Traore without making headway. The lack of success on that front has pushed the London side to Portugal, where they hope to sign Porto’s Luis Diaz.
Hunting for Diaz
With the transfer window about to close in a couple of days, Tottenham wants to make a late surge in the market and are challenging Liverpool for the signature of Luis Diaz. Reports suggest that Liverpool wanted the player, but Spurs have moved ahead of the Anfield side by submitting a formal bid to the Portuguese club.
Journalist Pedro Sepulveda reports that Tottenham have submitted a £40m bid for the winger. The bid also includes bonuses that are not specified. Tottenham is keen to complete the deal before the January transfer window shuts on January 31. Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici want to give Antonio Conte the tools he needs to succeed at Spurs and have given the Portuguese club 48 hours to respond to the bid.
Corroborating the news, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also reported that top figures from Tottenham were in Portugal.
Romano believes that completing the deal this month will be an arduous task for Tottenham. According to him, there has been no response from Porto.
Diaz in the eye of the storm
Many eyes have been on Luis Diaz. Chief among them is Liverpool. The exploits by the Colombian international this season has been impressive. Diaz has scored 14 goals and made four assists in 18 Primeira Liga games this season.
The deal will not be straightforward as the bid by Tottenham is far from Porto’s evaluation of the player.
According to reports, Liverpool showed an interest in the 25-year-old earlier this month. The Anfield giant was to pay his £67m release clause to sign him. They were also willing to accept an offer of £42m in the summer. Both offers still put Spurs ' offer in the shade.
Spurs remain interested in Adama Traore and are close to signing the Wolves player in a £20million deal.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
