Latest Liverpool transfer news as the Reds reject a £59m offer for Luis Diaz from Bayern Munich
Luis Diaz of Liverpool during the Premier League match
Liverpool have rejected Bayern Munich's opening bid for Luis Diaz
(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Liverpool's hardline stance towards selling star winger Luis Diaz has been put to the test with a first official offer received. Interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich had already been brewing over the course of the summer transfer window.
Several weeks ago Diaz joined in the Reds' celebrations, lifting the Premier League trophy at Anfield before parading it around the city for the hundreds of thousands who came to watch. He had played an integral role in the winning of English league title number 20, scoring 13 and assisting seven.
The Colombian's chant is a favourite amongst fans packed onto the Anfield terraces, but now more than ever, Diaz's future at Liverpool appears uncertain. So what exactly happened, what comes next and how will it all end? The ECHO takes a look at all of that and the potential outcome.
What happened?
As reported by the ECHO, Liverpool have immediately turned down a €67.5m (£58.6m) offer for their No.7, Diaz, from Bayern on Tuesday.
The German champions had followed Spanish champions Barcelona by approaching the Reds with interest earlier this summer, only to be told that there is no deal to be done and the 28-year-old remains an integral part of Arne Slot's plans for the remainder of his contract. That deal runs through to 2027, though on the other hand, there has been no move from Anfield chiefs to renew beyond the current term.
Bayern have not taken the hint they were given and have tried to test Liverpool's resolve, only to be rebuffed instantly.
Where was Luis Diaz in all of this?
Diaz returned to the AXA Training Centre last week along with his Liverpool teammates. Along with Florian Wirtz, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Alexis Mac Allister he did not feature in Sunday's friendly at Preston North End as Slot and Co. weren't going to rush players back into action sooner than necessary, given the obvious disruption to the start of the club's pre-season plans.
Prior to that, at the start of June, he had been away with the Colombian national team for World Cup qualifiers and raised eyebrows when admitting that despite being happy with his place on Merseyside, his representatives had been approached by a number of potential suitors and that subsequent discussions had taken place.
Then fast-forward to just last week and the attacker was asked again about his future, replying: "We don’t know yet. Nothing, nothing (to say). We’re there talking with the management, we’re calm where I am. So nothing (to say), we’re talking about matters."
Further detaching from that initial admission of happiness at Liverpool, The Athletic now claim Diaz has informed the relevant parties his wish is to make a summer transfer.
What comes next?
Liverpool will do what they can to keep Diaz but given previous interest from the Saudi Pro League in their Premier League winner, they have also taken that into consideration for setting a market rate. Al-Hilal were willing to pay €100m (£87m) for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes only for that move to fail, so that is the benchmark set.
Bayern are unlikely to be deterred and will be expected to return with an improved bid. It is known that they missed out on top target Florian Wirtz to Liverpool and it has then been widely reported how the same happened again when Nico Williams chose to renew his contract with Athletic Bilbao.
The Reds appear unlikely to entertain Diaz's sale during this transfer window unless they are given an offer that would be deemed impossible to turn down.