Leeds registered summer interest in Porto forward Luis Diaz
Leeds United were keen on bringing Porto forward Luis Diaz to Elland Road before the summer transfer window shut, according to Record.
However, the Whites did not go in with a bid for the 24-year-old Colombian international, with another interested suitor Everton unable to find the funds to trigger his release clause.
Porto slapped £68.8million (€80million) on Diaz’s head, insisting they were not going to let one of their best players leave on a cheap, and it appeared that dissuaded Leeds and co.
Impossible move
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are not going to be spending up to £70million on a single player anytime soon, and they could even baulk at the idea of spending half of it on a player.
Diaz scored six goals and assisted five more in 30 Portuguese top-flight games last term and has already hit the ground running in the new season, with two goals and an assist to his name in four league games.
The numbers of the dribbling machine are encouraging, and his finishing and passing abilities could have caught the attention of Leeds scouts.
The Yorkshire club could have been deliberating on a move, but Porto’s demands meant they did not even bother to bring an offer to the table.
Instead, the Whites brought in Wales international attacker Daniel James from Manchester United on deadline day, with the 23-year-old finally joining Leeds after a move fell through in January 2019.
Bielsa will be glad to have finally strengthened his attack with an affordable signing with huge quality and potential, but the club could continue to keep tabs on Diaz ahead of subsequent transfer windows.
In other Leeds news, pundit wanted Whites to seal big eleventh hour move for major signing on deadline day.