Luis Diaz nearly joining Tottenham in January set to haunt Spurs

By Jordan Harris

Luis Diaz nearly joining Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year is one of the most agonising what-ifs in the history of the January transfer window, according to talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara.

Diaz was the star of the show on Tuesday as Liverpool beat Villarreal. His performance after coming on at half-time inspired the Reds to book their spot in the Champions League final.

Of course, the Colombian’s performance will not have come as a huge surprise. He has been a revelation since moving to Liverpool in January. However, it could have all been so different.

The Reds brought Diaz to Anfield for £37 million. But that was only after Tottenham came incredibly close to signing the forward themselves.

Reports claimed that Spurs made a £46 million bid for Diaz. And at one stage, they were hopeful of agreeing a deal for the Porto star.

However, their bid for Diaz seemed to prompt Liverpool to get into the race. And obviously, it was Jurgen Klopp’s men who managed to agree terms with him.

Tottenham fans would have hoped that time would show that they had a lucky escape. But that has not been the case at all. And after his heroics on Tuesday, O’Hara insisted that it still very much hurts to see him shining for Liverpool.

He told talkSPORT: “That hurts us. Liverpool have signed one of the greatest January signings of all-time and he could have been in a Spurs shirt, should have been in a Spurs shirt. Can’t say no to Liverpool, can you?”

Luis Diaz nearly joining Tottenham could haunt Spurs for a long time

Few could have imagined just how well Diaz would settle at Liverpool. He is already a key man, putting pressure on the established forwards within the current squad.

He is another piece in the jigsaw as Klopp prepares to one day replace the legendary trio.

And that may be tough for Tottenham fans. It will not be easy to forget just how close a deal for Diaz seemed before his move to Liverpool.