The latest Liverpool transfer news and opinion as the Reds turn down €67.5m (£58.5m) for Luis Diaz - is it the correct decision?
Luis Diaz of Liverpool
Luis Diaz of Liverpool(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Once again, Liverpool have made it clear that they do not intend to sell Luis Diaz. Not even €67.5m (£58.5m), offered by Bayern Munich on Tuesday, is enough to tempt the Reds to alter their stance and facilitate a transfer.
Having previously turned away expressions of interest from both Barcelona and the German champions, Liverpool have now been tested via an official bid for Diaz, who scored 17 goals and eight assists in all competitions in the latest Premier League-winning campaign. The winger is seen as a key component of Arne Slot's squad for the remainder of his contract, towards which the club have taken a relaxed approach before it expires in the summer of 2027.
Amid this unfolding saga, The Athletic claims Diaz has personally informed all involved he wishes to leave Anfield. Only last week the 28-year-old said: "We don’t know yet (about where my future lies). 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."
The suggestion is that Bayern will still not be deterred and are expected to improve their offer, but that is not a guarantee, and Liverpool may have just rejected a substantial amount for a player who stands to walk away for free in two years' time.
If the Bundesliga champions were to continue their pursuit, then should there be a figure at which Liverpool change their mind, and if so, what figure should that be? Here, the ECHO 's writers have their say.
James Quinlan
Liverpool are well within their rights to reject the amount offered by Bayern - we've seen Matheus Cunha move from Wolves to Manchester United for £62.5m, Mohammed Kudus from West Ham to Spurs for £55m and it potentially looks like Arsenal are signing Noni Madueke for £52m. Diaz is better than all of the above, and by a fair distance.
The breaking point would be if the player has actually told Liverpool he wishes to leave, as has been claimed. No player is bigger than the club and if their heart is not in the project then the best place for them is elsewhere.
If Bayern were willing to do all it took to land Florian Wirtz - who ended up joining the Reds for £100m up front, £116m inclusive of add-ons - then they should have no problem coming close to that amount for the Colombian international.
Keifer MacDonald
Even before Bayern Munich lodged a bid for Luis Diaz on Tuesday, it seemed as though the Colombian's time at Anfield was coming to an end.
The 28-year-old is in the final two years of his deal at Anfield, and, for a while, has been linked with moves to the German champions, Barcelona and teams in the Saudi Pro League.
Given his age, it is no surprise that Diaz is seemingly flirting with a series of clubs on the continent in what feels like an attempt to secure a lucrative contract as his career hits its peak.
But that shouldn't come at Liverpool's expense.
And given that Diaz was a key lieutenant of the Reds' Premier League title-winning side last term, it is no surprise that offers below £60m are not currently being entertained.
Indeed, with the likes of Anthony Elanga and Matheus Cunha commanding fees of north of £55m as they moved to Newcastle United and Manchester United this summer, Liverpool should be holding out for at least £70m for Diaz.
Over to you, Bayern.
Jake Stokes
Unless Luis Diaz suddenly decides that he wants to leave, Liverpool should hold out for at least £70m and use the funds to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid. So long as his price tag reflects the gulf in class between himself and the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Noni Madueke, I don't think there can be too many complaints.
If Bayern Munich aren't prepared to put their money where their mouth is then great. It's not a problem. Diaz stays. If anything, it would probably be best if the Bundesliga champions moved on, with Liverpool already in the market for a striker and a centre-half.
Anthony Gordon would be a nice alternative to Rodrygo, but I doubt Newcastle United would appreciate the Reds chasing their two best players. If I was Arne Slot, I'd take a look at Kenan Yildiz from Juventus. I reckon any forthcoming offer from Bayern for Diaz would cover the Juventus star's price tag.
Kieran Horn
If Liverpool are desperate to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, it could cost them upwards of £150million and therefore a big sale - like Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich - may be needed.
With a bid from the German champions already being submitted, it is clear they would like to sign the Colombian international. Their need for a wide forward makes it even more likely they will return with an improved offer.
Liverpool are unlikely to see their triple-figure valuation met but a compromise could certainly be reached with a formal approach to Newcastle for Isak then following.
If Diaz has made it clear he wants to leave, then it certainly makes sense for an exit to be sanctioned but Liverpool should make sure it is not even one penny below what they are willing to accept as he still has two years remaining on his contract.
That stance should become flexible if the funds immediately go on Isak, though.
Hannah Pinnock
Liverpool must keep Diaz at all costs.
Of course, a key factor in this is the player’s own wishes, and he does appear open to a move, given Liverpool’s reluctance to offer him a new contract. It’s an understandable stance from his perspective, but the reality is that there is simply too much work to do elsewhere on the pitch.
With Darwin Nunez expected to depart, securing a striker is undoubtedly Liverpool’s top priority this summer. Signing an additional winger on top of that could prove difficult, and in many ways, maintaining continuity in as many positions as possible will be crucial, particularly with a significant number of new arrivals already through the door.
Perhaps a compromise can be reached, with Diaz agreeing to stay for one more season in return for a move next summer at a more favourable price. That would give the Reds’ recruitment team sufficient time to identify and secure a suitable replacement, without disrupting their other transfer plans this summer.
Isaac Seelochan
I've always thought that Diaz offers something different to Liverpool's other attackers, and I wonder if his absence would be felt more than people realise.
I think the Reds need to be mindful of not changing a winning formula too much after such a successful season. Do they really need the money from a sale? They are in such a strong position with PSR.
If he wants to stay, there is no reason to sell him. The only reason that may change is if they get a ridiculously good offer from a club in Saudi Arabia, for example, but I don't think that will happen.