The football world was in turmoil last night after a £90million striker was spotted in a supermarket, apparently comparing yoghurts.
Brazilian-born forward Diego Almeida, 24, is the subject of a record-breaking bid from the Dockside club. He was seen in the dairy aisle of a store in Southport on Tuesday afternoon, wearing a baseball cap and carrying a basket containing four pots of plain yoghurt.
“He took his time”
Shopper Linda Ormerod, 61, said: “I did not know who he was at first. Then my grandson said, ‘Nan, that is the one who scored the volley.’ He was reading the labels like an exam paper.”
Staff say Almeida spent eight minutes in the aisle and left with a Greek-style yoghurt, a bag of oranges and a copy of the local paper.
His agent last night refused to say whether the visit was linked to a move. “Diego is a private individual and is allowed to buy yoghurt,” he said.
What it means for the deal
The Dockside club have been tracking the player for months, and supporters took the sighting as a good sign. “If he is shopping up here, he is moving up here,” said one fan online.
Sources close to the deal say a medical is planned for next week and an announcement could come as early as Friday. The player has so far been unable to comment, because he was “busy having his lunch”.
