What are the details of the Luiz Diaz transfer?
It had been rumored for some time but the Colombian winger completed his transfer to the Bundesliga champions on Wednesday. The transfer fee is thought to be €75 million ($86.5 million), making Diaz the third most expensive player in the history of both Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga. Diaz, 28, has signed a contract, reportedly worth €275,000 a week, until 2029.
“I’m very happy, it means a lot to me to be part of FC Bayern,” said Diaz. “They’re one of the biggest clubs in the world. I want to help my new team with my way of playing football and my character. My goal is to win every possible title, and that’s what we’ll work for every day as a team.”
Bayern’s other major signing so far this offseason is Germany centerback Jonathan Tah, from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen. Diaz’s signing from Liverpool follows a recent trend of the German side signing big name players from England’s Premier League. Last year they signed winger Michael Olise from Crystal Palace for €53 million and the year before that, England captain Harry Kane, for €95 million.
What will Luiz Diaz add to Bayern Munich?
After Leroy Sane picked moving to Turkish side Galatasaray over extending his contract with Bayern, and with Serge Gnabry struggling for form and in the final year of his contract, Diaz will likely be Bayern’s starting left-winger, with Olise on the right.
Signed by German coach Jürgen Klopp in 2022, Diaz is a relentless runner, with and without the ball, and became a fan favorite at Anfield during a stint that bought him a Premier League title last season. His bravery when dealing with the kidnap of his parents from his hometown of Barranca, who were later returned, in 2023, further endeared him to the fans.
“Luis creates a real goal threat and is a scorer, who at the same time works incredibly hard for his team. He’s quick, a versatile footballer and brings an intense style of play to the game,” said Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund of a player who has won 64 caps for his country.
“Luis Díaz represents a complete package that will thrill our fans.”
Luiz Diaz is the third big Premier League arrival in three seasons, after Harry Kane (left) and Michael OliseImage: Gintare Karpaviciute/REUTERS
As well as his pressing ability, Diaz is a robust player, rarely missing games through injury. That is particularly important given the injury history of Gnabry and Bayern’s other wing option, Kingsley Coman. With Jamal Musiala set to miss the early part of the season, Diaz will likely see plenty of action.
Was Luiz Diaz Bayern Munich’s main transfer target?
He was not. In fact, their primary target, Florian Wirtz, joined the club Diaz has just left. Long used to hoovering up the best young, German talent, Wirtz’s decision to join Liverpool over Bayern has heaped pressure on Bayern’s board member in charge of sport, Max Eberl, who was also reportedly keen on Atletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams before the Spanish winger extended his contract instead.
“We’re delighted we’ve been able to bring him [Diaz] to FC Bayern. Transfers like this work when every cog in the machine fits together,” Eberl said, in a statement perhaps directed at those who have doubted his ability to land top level players.
Unlike many German players, Florian Wirtz snubbed Bayern MunichImage: Revierfoto/dpa/picture alliance
Though Diaz is undoubtedly one of those, at 28 Bayern are unlikely to be able to make much profit from any future sale of Diaz, who is likely at or close to his peak. This contrasts with Wirtz (22) and Williams (23).
Are Bayern Munich likely to make more signings?
It seems likely. The departures of Sane and Thomas Müller, though they were both on a free, have freed up a good chunk of Bayern’s wage bill. Those attacking departures, plus the injury to Musiala, mean coach Vincent Kompany is still likely to want more options in attacking areas, particularly with the Champions League in mind.
Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade is another young German of the type Bayern have historically made a habit of signing while RB Leipzig’s Dutch winger Xavi Simons is also a player of interest.
Bayern play Stuttgart and Leipzig in their opening two matches of the 2025-26 season, in the Super Cup on August 16 and Bundesliga on August 22, respectively.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold
