Bayern Munich is reportedly nearing a significant €75 million (£65.6 million; $88.1 million) agreement to acquire Liverpool forward Luis Diaz. Initial discussions took place earlier this summer, but Liverpool turned down a bid of €67.5 million (£58.6 million; $78.8 million) from Bayern.
Current indications suggest that Diaz is eager for a transfer away from Anfield, as confirmed by Liverpool’s head coach Arne Slot, who noted Diaz’s absence from the squad during their recent friendly against AC Milan was due to ongoing conversations regarding his future. “In Lucho’s situation it was linked to his future,” Slot stated, adding that while Diaz is training well, the decision had been made to hold off on playing him.
In tandem with this potential transfer, Liverpool has bolstered their attacking options by signing forward Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for approximately £69 million ($93.4 million), with an additional potential £10 million in add-ons. They are also eyeing Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who has expressed his desire to leave the club. The recent passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva has undoubtedly weighed on Liverpool’s market decisions as they navigate these transitions.
Bayern Munich’s pursuit of forward reinforcements has faced hurdles; their primary target, Florian Wirtz, chose to join Liverpool, while Nico Williams opted to stay at Athletic Club. The Bundesliga champions regard Diaz for his versatility and ability to fulfill various roles in their attacking lineup.
Since joining Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 for an initial fee of £37.5 million—which could have reached £50 million with add-ons—Diaz has become an impactful player with 41 goals and 23 assists in 148 games for the club. His contributions were instrumental during Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning season, where he netted 13 goals in 36 appearances.
This transfer saga highlights the ongoing evolution of both clubs and the tactical adjustments they are making in response to player movements and market dynamics. As discussions continue, fans will be eager to see how these developments unfold.