David Ornstein: Liverpool Reach £65m Agreement for Forward | OneFootball

Luis Diaz Set for Bayern Move in Major Shift for Liverpool Attack

Luis Diaz, the electric winger whose journey from Porto to Anfield lit up the left flank with flair and fervour, is on the verge of becoming a Bayern Munich player. As reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic, the German giants have agreed a €75 million (£65.6m) deal to secure the Colombian international.

Currently with the squad in Tokyo on Liverpool’s pre-season tour, Diaz has been granted permission to finalise the move within the next 24 hours. Manager Arne Slot confirmed his absence from the friendly defeat to AC Milan was indeed related to his impending exit.

“In Lucho’s situation it was (linked to his future), yeah,” said Slot. “There are a lot of rumours around it lately and I cannot go into that… we’ve decided that he is best not playing at the moment.”

Photo: IMAGO

Intentions Revealed and Motives Laid Bare

According to the report, Diaz has made it clear he wants to leave Liverpool this summer. The club previously rejected Bayern’s opening bid of €67.5 million, but negotiations resumed and a deal reflecting what the Reds consider to be Diaz’s full market value has now been accepted.

It’s a financial decision as much as a sporting one. The club has already banked significant funds from the sales of Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Nathaniel Phillips. With Hugo Ekitike arriving for £69 million and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak in their sights, reinvention is clearly underway.

Yet the emotional weight of this summer cannot be ignored. The tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva has deeply affected the squad and undoubtedly reshaped planning. In such moments, decisions feel heavier.

Tactical Rethink in Progress

Diaz was an integral part of Slot’s Premier League-winning side last season. His 13 goals in 36 league appearances marked his most prolific campaign yet, providing drive and dynamism in wide areas.

His ability to drift inside, take on defenders, and find the net made him invaluable. Bayern’s admiration for his “versatility” is no surprise. They view him as a forward capable of playing across the frontline, a trait that fits well with their fluid attacking model.

But for Liverpool, this is not just a player sale, it’s a strategic pivot. The club are open to selling Darwin Núñez and may even see Harvey Elliott depart, who recently said he would “review” his situation. In a team reshaped by loss and ambition, nothing stands still.

Eyes on Isak and a New Direction

Ekitike’s arrival brings pace and promise, while talks with Alexander Isak hint at a desire to inject a different profile into Liverpool’s attack — intelligent movement, technical sharpness, and finishing efficiency.

This isn’t merely about replacing Diaz, it’s about evolving the system. Slot appears keen to build a more vertical, interchangeable frontline — less reliant on isolated wide duels, more geared towards quick transitions and rotations.

The page turns, and with it, the story deepens.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

The Luis Diaz sale is a hard one to digest, not because it’s completely unexpected, but because of what it represents. He was a symbol of intensity and emotion on the pitch. There was something visceral about the way Diaz played — something unpolished, yes, but utterly alive.

In cold terms, €75 million is good business. He was bought for around £43 million, and with three years left on his deal, his value was never going to climb much higher. The club have shown a knack for timing exits smartly.

But where do the goals come from now? Ekitike is promising, but raw. Isak would be a major addition, but there’s no guarantee we land him. The emotional toll of Jota’s passing casts a long shadow here too. That tragedy has left more than a gap on the left wing — it’s left one in our hearts.

Slot deserves credit. Winning the league in his first season is no fluke. But this summer feels more turbulent than triumphant. A team in transition is a dangerous thing, especially with the likes of City and Arsenal breathing down our necks.

Still, we’ve been here before — doubted, written off. And we know what happens when Liverpool are cornered. We rebuild, we return, we rise.