Marcel Brands, the former Director of Football at Everton and current PSV president, has revealed that Everton had the opportunity to sign Luis Diaz from FC Porto before the Colombian winger joined Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
Brands expressed his desire to bring Diaz to Goodison Park during the summer of 2021 but encountered resistance from then-Everton manager Rafael Benitez.
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Brands aimed to include James Rodriguez in a potential deal, but Benitez was uncertain about Diaz, leading to Everton passing on the opportunity.
Marcel Brands on situation with Luis Diaz
Brands stated, Quoted via AS
“I wanted to install my philosophy and structure in the club that would allow Everton to progress, but the decisions from above did not allow it.
In the summer of 2021, we were looking to bring Luis Diaz from Porto.
I was working hard to get James Rodriguez to go to Porto as part of the deal that would bring Diaz to the club, however, Rafa Benitez ruled against it because he was not sure about the player.”
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Ultimately, Liverpool secured the signing of Diaz in January 2022, and the winger has since proven to be a success at Anfield.
Despite Everton’s struggles and the potential threat of relegation, it is suggested that Diaz might not have flourished in the restrictive environment at Everton, while he has thrived under the management of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
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Diaz, who is currently 26 years old, has made a significant impact, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists in 41 Premier League appearances, and there is optimism that he could develop into a world-class talent in the future.
Liverpool is my Religion and Anfield is my Church. 17th May 1996 the date I had my blood coloured red. The one you love the most you can not live without it and that is football to me.
