Liverpool announce Diogo Jota transfer as Wolves star joins Thiago Alcantara at Anfield

Posted Sunday, September 20, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Liverpool have signed Diogo Jota from Wolves just a day after completing a deal for Thiago Alcantara.

Liverpool have completed the signing of Wolves forward Diogo Jota for an initial £41m. Liverpool's interest in the 23-year-old only emerged on Friday afternoon but the Reds have acted fast to get a deal over the line for the Portugal international. He is expected to initially play as a backup to the front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was keen to add strength in depth up top after missing out on Timo Werner earlier this summer.

Watford's Ismaila Sarr was a target but the £50m price tag put the Premier League champions off.

Jota has been one of Wolves' star players since their return to the English top flight two seasons ago and has been snapped up for a deal that could rise to £45m, but only £4m will be paid in the first 12 months.

He has scored 16 goals in his 67 Premier League appearances and 44 in total during his time at Wolves.

Liverpool announce Diogo Jota transfer as Wolves star joins Thiago Alcantara at Anfield
Liverpool transfer news: Diogo Jota has joined Liverpool from Wolves (Image: GETTY)

The winger's absence from the 1-0 Carabao Cup loss to Stoke on Thursday was shrouded in mystery.

Jota, who will take the No 20 shirt at Liverpool, reportedly arrived at Molineux but left before the game.

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo did not give any hint that Jota could be leaving the club following the defeat.

"He wasn’t available, these are decisions we have to make," Nuno said simply.

But his departure from the Midlands club has now been confirmed.

The player told Liverpool's official website: "It’s just a really exciting moment for me and my family. All of my path since I was a kid and now, to join a club like Liverpool – the world champions – is just unbelievable. I just want to get started.

"It is one of the best teams in the world – the best at the moment because they are world champions. When you look at the Premier League, you always see Liverpool as one of the biggest teams in the country, so it’s impossible to say no.

"So we just want to come [here], to give our best and hopefully I can become a good option for Liverpool in the future.”

The announcement of Jota came a day after Liverpool confirmed the signing of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.

Thiago, 29, has signed a four-year deal after a £25m fee was agreed between the two clubs earlier this week.

Klopp refused to rule out any further incomings at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's visit to Chelsea and the arrival of Jota proves he was right not to do so.

"The window itself leaves the window open," Klopp said.

"It is open until October 6, so that is normal and was always the same.

"I cannot promise we will do something and I wouldn't but I cannot say it is 100 per cent sure we don't do anything.

"It's the situation, it is developing a situation so anything could happen.

"If a player comes to me and asks me 'Boss I want to go' - I don't expect that but it can happen - then we have to react.”