Luis Diaz to leave Liverpool as Reds agree £65m transfer fee 

Luis Diaz has been given permission to leave Liverpool training camp in Tokyo to complete a €75 million (£65.5 million) move to Bayern Munich.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Reds throughout the summer transfer window, with Barcelona showing strong interest. However, Bayern have emerged as the leading contenders for his signature and are now on the brink of securing their target.

Diaz’s exit comes after two separate attempts by Liverpool to agree on a contract extension failed. There was a gap between the offer put forward by the Reds and the demands from the player’s camp.

The Columbian had initially wanted to stay on at Merseyside and was hopeful of a new deal at the end of last season. However the Reds decided that with two years left on the 28-year-old’s current terms, agreed when he joined the club in January 2022, there was no rush on discussions on an improved deal.

Luis Diaz celebrates with the Premier League trophy. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

It’s understood that stance led to frustration inside Diaz’s camp and his entourage seeking out a buyer for the former Porto man.

Bayern eventually came to the table after missing out on Florian Wirtz and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, who signed a new deal with the Basque club. The departure of Leroy Sane also increased the Bundesliga champions’ need for a wide forward.

Diaz requested to leave Anfield in the summer of 2024, although Liverpool held firm. Manchester City were among the clubs interested in signing him.

He went on to play a pivotal role in the team’s 20th league title win last season, scoring 17 goals and operating in a number of different roles.

The Reds have already added Hugo Ekitike, Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer for a potential outlay of £300 million.

With the sale of Diaz, Liverpool have now sanctioned £190 million in player sales since Richard Hughes arrived as sporting director.

Diaz was a popular figure at Anfield following his arrival from Porto in 2022 and will be well remembered for his aggressive and industrious playing style.

In addition to the Premier League title last season, Diaz also won the League Cup twice (2022 and 2024) and the FA Cup (2022). Overall, he scored 41 goals in 148 appearances for Liverpool.