Everton have joined the race to sign FC Porto’s rising star Luis Diaz, who is set to cost a staggering €50 million.

According to Portuguese daily, Correio da Manha, as cited by Sport Witness, Everton have expressed their desire to sign Luis Diaz. The FC Porto star is currently one of the hottest prospects in the market Portuguese market due to his exploits in Copa America and indeed, in the new season.

Diaz was linked with a move to England in the summer but Porto had blocked any transfer by slapping a staggering €80 million price tag. However, they are now willing to lower their demands to €50 million as they are in dire need of a big sale in order to juice up their financial structure.

It has put multiple clubs on red alert, with Everton’s Premier League rivals Chelsea and Tottenham among the teams interested in his services. It appears they have been left impressed by the forward’s success at FC Porto, with the player having already netted six goals in just eight league matches.

Diaz’s big breakthrough, though, came during this summer’s Copa America tournament, where he was the joint high-scorer, netting four goals for Colombia. The performances lifted his confidence and it has been evident in his contributions to Porto this term.

As for Everton, their interest in the former Barranquilla starlet perhaps stems from their lack of depth in the creative department. Earlier this season, the club had to deal with the unfortunate departure of ex-Porto superstar James Rodriguez, who moved to Qatar in search of a new adventure.

His departure has left Everton over-reliant on the services of two new signings in Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray. Although the two forwards have done incredibly well, Rafa Benitez is prepared to further strengthen his ranks by securing the services of Luis Diaz.

The Colombian international’s direct style of play does tune in well with Benitez’s tactical philosophy, as it could offer the added edge to the Everton attack, especially on the counter. His potential partnership with Townsend, Gray and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could indeed make the Toffees one of the most interesting teams in the league.

However, it remains to be seen whether the Merseyside giants can afford the €50 million price tag for Luis Diaz. The FC Porto forward is undoubtedly a talented star who can make an impact in the Premier League.

But Everton will be careful before making such a big investment, meaning a lot may depend on how the attacker fares during the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign. They have no shortage of alternatives either, having recently been linked with a move for Newcastle United’s Allan Saint-Maximin.

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