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Man City 'shut down claim' of deal with Liverpool's Luis Diaz

Manchester City have denied claims that they have agreed a deal with Liverpool star Luis Diaz after reports emerged that the champions were 'willing to pay £60m' for the Colombian winger.

Rumours have been circulating today that Pep Guardiola's side were planning to swoop in for their title rival's skilful forward with El Chiringuito TV suggesting that a 'five-year agreement' had been made between the two parties.

The show's reporter Marcos Benito added that City were 'willing to pay €70million' for the wide man.

But the eight-time Premier League champions have shut down the sensational claims, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

He posted on X, formerly Twitter: 'Manchester City sources deny any agreement with Luís Diaz after recent reports.'

The outrageous reports come after Diaz scored twice on his first outing under new head coach Arne Slot during a thumping 4-1 victory over Spanish side Sevilla at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

The Colombian has had electric spells of form for the Reds since joining two years ago but has failed to replicate the relentless goalscoring form of Sadio Mane, who he replaced at Anfield.

While Mane scored 120 goals in 269 games for the Reds, a strike every 2.24 games on average, Diaz has managed 24 in 98, a rate of roughly one every 4.08 matches. 

Diaz, 27, started last season in good form but, through no fault of his own, lost his guaranteed spot in the starting XI after his father was kidnapped in Colombia and he had a period of absence. 

Slot and his backroom staff have been putting on individual sessions to work on forwards' movement off the ball and Diaz already looks to benefitting from that added coaching. 

Over the weekend, Diaz cut in from the left and, without hesitation, blasted the ball into the top corner across goal. 

His second was a tap-in but he was in the right place at the right time.

There has been speculation aplenty over the summer as to Diaz's future and recent reports suggested he had emerged as a target for the Saudi Arabian Pro League as they looked to attract younger players to the country.

But he has failed to replicate the relentless goalscoring form of Sadio Mane, who he replaced at Anfield

The 27-year-old has been one of Liverpool's stand-out performers since arriving from Porto for £37.5million in 2022.

PSG have also reportedly considered a move for Diaz as a fresh replacement in the left wing position following Kylian Mbappe's departure.

In May, he also emerged as 'Barcelona's top summer target' despite their financial restrictions with the Liverpool star reportedly 'open to joining the Catalan giants to fulfil a childhood dream'.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

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