Luis Diaz may have to wait to get his hands on his dream Liverpool shirt number as he closes in on completing a marquee move to Anfield.
The 25-year-old winger is on his way to the Premier League after Porto accepted the £50m offer from the Reds early Friday morning.
Diaz will become the most expensive striker in Liverpool history and will rank fourth on the club’s record arrivals list, after £75m defender Virgil van Dijk, the £66m goalkeeper Alisson and £53m midfielder Naby Keita.
A big signing is often met with the newcomer receiving their ideal squad number, especially given the financial importance of shirt sales.
But Diaz, who wears seven on his back for Porto, will find that number occupied by James Milner when he lands on Merseyside.
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Milner, 36, has been in Liverpool’s coveted No.7 shirt since arriving from Manchester City on a free transfer in 2015.
The Reds vice-captain has proven to be a loyal and versatile servant to Jurgen Klopp and he carried on the legacy of a shirt once worn by Luis Suarez, Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish.
However, Milner is out of contract this summer and may not be offered the option to extend given his age and the fact that he has started just 10 games in all competitions this season.
This could pave the way for Diaz to take the No.7 jersey before next season, although he should take a provisional number in the meantime.
He previously wore number 23 for Atletico Junior in his native Colombia before moving to number 10 for his final season with the club.
Sadio Mane occupies the No.10 strip in the Anfield dressing room, but the No.23 is available after Xherdan Shaqiri left for Lyon last summer.
This may prove to be the obvious choice for Diaz until the number seven becomes available, especially as the No.14 shirt he wears for Colombia is worn by Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
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The player received seven at Porto after completing a £6.5m move to the Estadio do Dragao from Atletico Junior in July 2019.
He scored 41 goals and provided 19 assists in 125 appearances for the Portuguese giants, winning the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal double in the 2019/20 season.
Diaz also shone on the international stage for Colombia, sharing the Golden Boot with Lionel Messi in last summer’s Copa America and earning a spot in the team of the tournament.
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