With deadline day fast approaching, Everton need to get moving quickly if they are to get the additions that Rafa Benitez wants over the line.
Porto star Luis Diaz appears to be at the top of the list but, after the initial excitement, that appears to have died a very quick death.
Despite an absolute refusal from Everton fans to accept what the Portuguese papers were saying, they were adamant on Saturday the deal was not advanced, and the Blues had work to do.
That’s a line now being echoed in the English press, and, for all intents and purposes, it seems the move won’t be happening.
That certainly seems to be the stance from Portugal today, at least, with the newspapers offering very little on the situation around the Colombian.
O Jogo barely mention it, other than a brief coverage of his teammate Mateus Uribe asking him not to leave. At the end of this, they cover how English reports have ‘backtracked’ and are now saying the same as what they’ve said all along; Porto don’t want to sell.
Record have a bit more detail but, to be absolutely clear on this from the start, make zero mention of Everton.
They say Porto are keen to sell players, and the ‘objective’ is to sell for ‘big bucks’, but they want to avoid loans and exits for a bargain price.
SAD are reportedly ‘feeling the effective pressure of others’ greed’ for their players; however, with the exception of Luis Diaz, none of the offers have met Porto’s demands.
Now, that seems to suggest the offer that’s on the table for Diaz does match their demands. Again, though, there is no mention of Everton whatsoever.
What is explained is that Porto want to see ‘tangible money’ coming into the accounts and the offers that have been made so far for their key players are only sales with ‘low financial return’ or loans with a purchase options.
They really don’t want to sell Diaz, but the club does need money, so any offers need ‘considerable financial weight’ behind them if they are to be accepted. In other words, Everton need to stump up the money.
