1 week ago
80
Luis Diaz continues to be linked with a move away from Liverpool, but Bayern Munich may have been priced out of the race after the Reds rejected a $78 million bid from the Bundesliga champions.
Despite claiming he's happy with Liverpool and the Premier League club insisting that he's not for sale, Diaz has been linked with several elite teams this summer. Barcelona and Bayern have been monitoring his situation, and the Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr is also showing interest.
Liverpool immediately rejected Bayern's $78 million offer, and values the 28-year-old closer to $117 million. However, according to Bayern insider Christian Falk, the German club has already exceeded its maximum offer and has been priced out of a move.
Falk claimed on Tuesday that Bayern would bid up to $70 million for Diaz, while allowing extra for bonuses and performance-related add-ons. After Liverpool instantly rejected the approach, Bayern may have to look elsewhere.
It's been a disappointing summer for Bayern, which was rocked by Leroy Sane's departure, and attracting a high-profile replacement has been challenging. Sane rejected a contract extension to join Galatasaray on a free deal, and Mathys Tel made his loan move permanent after Tottenham signed him for $46.5 million.
Bayern also saw Florian Wirtz join Liverpool for a package worth $155 million, despite being linked with the Bayer Leverkusen star for several years. Just $2.7 million has been spent this summer, as Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof are Bayern's only major arrivals.
Liverpool has already enjoyed a successful window, signing Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen and adding Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez in another significant deal. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Nat Phillips, and Caoimhin Kelleher departed the club.
Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott, and Tyler Morton have also been linked with a move away, but Liverpool has clarified that Diaz and Ibrahima Konate are not for sale. On Tuesday, Liverpool rejected a bid for Diaz and snubbed an offer from an unnamed Saudi club for Konate.
The interest surrounding Diaz is unusual given Liverpool's stance. The winger enjoyed his best season under new head coach Arne Slot. Diaz scored 17 goals in all competitions and helped Liverpool win the Premier League title.
Diaz may not play every minute of every game, but he praised Slot's ability to manage such a talented group earlier this year. "Our coach has settled in really well at the club," Diaz said.
"He’s known just exactly how to manage the group and every single player that he has in the squad. It cannot be easy for any coach when he has two or three excellent alternatives for each position on the field to make decisions on who to play and who to leave out.
"It’s not an easy task, but he’s been up to it and he’s also given confidence to every single player in his squad." Diaz also applauded how Slot and his coaching staff approach every game.
"He’s put into practice some very important things for us tactically," Diaz added. "He is very good in that respect, and he also will tell you and put you right when he feels the need to.
"So, that’s pretty much how it is. He’s managing the group really well. We’re creating a great squad of players, a big family if you like, and it’s a very humble group which wants to move forward and look to the future."
English (US) ·