According to various reports, Liverpool are interested in Benfica’s Darwin Núñez, and Núñez is interested in Liverpool. Now, with the summer window due to open on Friday, Ward may once again tap into his ‘strong network of contacts’ in Portugal, stemming from his work with the national team as head of analysis and technical scouting. In these circumstances, Liverpool were almost their knight in shining armour. But they were in desperate need of funds, and they regarded Díaz as one of their few ‘saleable assets’. ‘Porto wouldn't have entertained selling’ Díaz without these financial difficulties’, journalist and Portuguese football expert Aaron Barton told the ECHO. In December, UEFA had threatened to kick them out of European competition for a season if they did not meet their debt obligations, giving them just two months. However, it must be acknowledged that the Primeira Liga outfit were under real pressure to sell, playing right into the hands of Ward and Liverpool. It’s widely known that Liverpool didn’t intend to pursue Díaz until the summer, but hurriedly brought their plans forward in the final days of the January window when they learned that Porto were ready to sell him to Tottenham Hotspur for a reduced fee. Ward also deserves credit for agreeing a favourable package within a short period of time. READ MORE: Liverpool’s Calvin Ramsay transfer decision vindicated as forgotten man will have different role READ MORE: FSG must monitor ideal Liverpool midfield heir who stole the show against £200m transfer duo The expectation is that goals will flow in abundance next season, at which point few will be able to dispute that the deal was a masterstroke. In terms of outright performance levels, Díaz was arguably Liverpool’s best attacker in the final few months of the campaign. Half a season into his Liverpool career, it looks like great value. Liverpool agreed to pay an initial £37.5m for the Colombian, with a further £12.5m in potential add-ons. It was Ward who led the negotiations with Porto over the signing of Luis Díaz in January. But as it turned out, the apprentice assumed the duties of the master a few months early.
Julian Ward wasn’t supposed to take over as Liverpool’s sporting director until the summer, when Michael Edwards officially departed.
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