Luis Diaz is hoping that Bayern Munich make Liverpool a second offer they can't refuse after telling the club that he wants to leave in the summer transfer window
Bayern Munich are set to test Liverpool’s resolve with a second bid for Luis Diaz - who is desperate to join the German side. The Reds have already rejected one £58.6million offer from Bayern for the winger, but the saga is set to rumble on.
Diaz was a key player in Arne Slot’s side last season, contributing 17 goals and eight assists in 50 appearances across all competitions to help them end the 2024/25 campaign with the Premier League trophy. He has two years left on his current contract, but is understood to be unhappy with his current terms and has been chasing an improved deal.
Liverpool have handed bumper new contracts to Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah this year – and also tried to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold up to fresh terms. However, such a contract has not been forthcoming for Diaz, Liverpool have made clear it's not on their to-do list, and the player has therefore made it clear he wants to leave.
The Reds did not even consider Bayern's initial bid, deeming it well below their valuation of the Colombia international. But Bayern have not been deterred and will continue to push for Diaz, who they see as a replacement for Leroy Sane, who left for Galatasaray this summer.
As reported by ESPN, a second bid, worth around £60m plus add-ons is being prepared. Diaz is understood to be ‘determined’ to leave Liverpool this summer if he doesn't get a new deal and has told the club of his intentions.
The 28-year-old winger has flown out with Liverpool for their pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Japan. The Reds are preparing to play AC Milan and Yokohama F. Marinos in Asia and the inclusion of Diaz shows they expect him to stay put.
While he now has his sights set on Bayern, Diaz had initially wanted to leave for Barcelona this summer. Barca sporting director Deco openly admitted the club were interested in signing him and ESPN says an offer of £65m from the Catalan giants was rejected by Liverpool.
Barca then tried to sign Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, before deciding to go for Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. With Diaz not interested in moving to Saudi Arabia, that has left Bayern as the only option on the table.
Diaz has 41 goals and 23 assists in 148 games across all competitions for Liverpool since joining from Porto for £37m in January 2022. There is a feeling that a deal can be done, given Liverpool are about to increase their spending to beyond £250m when Hugo Ekitike arrives in a £79m deal from Eintracht Frankfurt in the coming days.
Liverpool have sold Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold and Nat Phillips this summer but further departures are needed. As well as Diaz, there are doubts over the futures of Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott and Ibrahima Konate.