€70 million market value
Despite a lengthy list of transfers that didn’t materialize for Bayern Munich this summer—including Florian Wirtz, Nico Williams, Bradley Barcola, and Nick Woltemade—Liverpool forward Luis Díaz was recently confirmed to join Bayern. After an impressive season at Liverpool, where he excelled under manager Arne Slot, the Colombian international’s move became a reality as Liverpool decided to facilitate the transfer this summer. The deal is reported to be worth an initial €70 million, plus an additional €5 million in potential bonuses. Díaz has agreed to a contract that will keep him at the club until 2029.
This transfer is now the third most expensive in Bayern’s history, trailing only the transfers of Harry Kane (€95 million) and Lucas Hernández (€80 million). Additionally, it’s one of the largest fees Liverpool has ever received for a player, prompting them to take advantage of the situation. Liverpool’s recent spending spree, which has exceeded €300 million with signings like Florian Wirtz for €125 million and Hugo Ekitiké for €95 million, indicates they are still on the hunt for a striker, with Alexander Isak potentially breaking Premier League transfer records.
With this deal, Liverpool aims to use the funds generated from Bayern’s interest to further strengthen their squad. Historically, the Reds have looked to Bayern for offloading expensive players—Sadio Mané’s transfer to Bayern for €32 million in 2022 being a prime example—before he transitioned to Al-Nassr for €30 million the following summer. Liverpool appears set to replicate this strategy with Díaz.
28-Year-Old Winger: Why Bayern Munich is Eager to Acquire Luis Díaz
The Mané transfer should serve as a cautionary tale for Bayern Munich, particularly as the club looks to inject youth into its roster rather than acquiring more players in their late 20s. Once finalized, Díaz will be the 12th player in the squad aged 28 or older. Essential attacking assets like Kingsley Coman (29), Serge Gnabry (30), and Kane (32) are nearing the end of their careers. With three forwards aging, the focus should ideally shift toward younger talents instead of investing heavily in a player who will turn 29 in January.
As reported by Bild, Díaz is set to earn €14 million a season at Bayern, surpassing his Liverpool wages, although it won’t rank among the top salaries at the club. He will fall in between Alphonso Davies (€15 million) and Michael Olise (€13 million), with Jamal Musiala (€25 million) and Kane (€24 million) being the highest earners. While Díaz’s salary may not break the bank, it does little to alleviate Bayern’s financial pressures going forward.
Bayern’s eagerness to sign Díaz stems from his recent surge in performance. The winger had his most productive season last campaign, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists in 36 league matches. Díaz has evolved into a more dependable and complete forward under Slot’s guidance. Bayern is particularly keen on finalizing this transfer to enhance their left-wing options, having previously missed out on players like Wirtz, Williams, and Barcola. Efforts to sign Woltemade from Stuttgart have also faced hurdles. With Leroy Sané departing for Galatasaray, Coman stands as the sole left winger in the current squad, making the acquisition of an additional player crucial.
