Luis Diaz chose Liverpool over two other interested European heavyweights, including Jose Mourinho’s Roma, because of the Reds’ ‘elite’ status among the cream of the crop. It was an opportunity the 25-year-old couldn’t pass up, amid the hesitancy among his other suitors, according to his father.
Diaz moved from Porto in a €45m transfer deal that shocked other clubs that were in the race for his signature. Tottenham Hotspur, Milan and Roma were handed the news towards the end of the January window, as Liverpool won the race to secure the winger’s signature.
Speaking exclusively to Colombian radio station Bluradio (via The Mirror), the player’s father Luis Manuel Diaz admitted that the pacy midfielder was not short of options in the transfer market.
“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,” he explained.
Roma proceeded to lure his teammate Sergio Oliveira to Stadio Olimpico instead.
The ex-Barranquilla forward, who began his career in the Colombian second division, recently made his debut for the Anfield outfit by coming on as a substitute in the 3-1 FA Cup win against Cardiff City where he recorded an assist.
