Luis Diaz opens on Bayern Munich 'gamble' after talks with Liverpool star over exit
Luis Diaz has revealed that he picked the brains of Liverpool new boy Florian Wirtz before giving a move to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich the green light earlier this summer.
Diaz, 28, joined the German champions in a blockbuster €75million (£65.5m) transfer last month after deciding to pursue a new opportunity this season. After communicating that to Liverpool, the Premier League champions agreed terms on a deal which saw Diaz head to Munich despite interest from other European clubs including Barcelona earlier in the transfer window.
Although Diaz was eager to explore his options and play in a different environment, the Colombia international admits that swapping Anfield for Munich was a "big gamble" after scoring in Bayern's 2-1 triumph over Stuttgart in the DFL Supercup over the weekend.
"I'm very happy and pleased with how this weekend went," Diaz told ESPN. "As you pointed out, it was my first official match, my first goal, and my first title. I dreamed of coming here to achieve great things and give my best. I try to enjoy football.
"It was a big gamble and I'm very grateful to the management for reaching out to me and trusting me. It's always up to me to respond on the pitch and contribute with what I know how to do. To be at the disposal of the coaching staff. To start this way and be together with my teammates is incredible."
Diaz's switch to Bayern followed Wirtz's British record transfer to Liverpool. The Germany star was hot property heading into the summer following a stellar 2024-25 campaign for Bayer Leverkusen, who won the Bundesliga under Xabi Alonso the season prior.
Reflecting on his discussions with Liverpool's new attacking maestro, Diaz continued before admitting that it would take time for Bayern to benefit from the same electric displays that contributed to Liverpool's title success last term.
"I already had some knowledge of the Bundesliga," Diaz added. "I love watching football and all the competitions. I had the opportunity to talk to Florian in Liverpool, and I know it's a physical league. I hope to have a great debut. I've been here at the club for about two weeks, and I need time to settle in."
Diaz and Bayern start their Bundesliga campaign at home to RB Leipzig on Friday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
20 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Ryan Reynolds' next £8m signing resists 'dream' transfer as Wrexham see off huge club
Ryan Reynolds' next £8m signing resists 'dream' transfer as Wrexham see off huge club Callum Doyle looks set to join Wrexham in an £8m deal, opting against a 'dream' switch to Rangers despite expressing his lifelong desire to play in Old Firm clashes Manchester City youngster Callum Doyle (left) is widely expected to join Wrexham this summer (Image:.) Wrexham's summer spending shows no sign of stopping as they look set to complete a deal reportedly worth up to £8million. Manchester City youngster Callum Doyle is expected to become the North Wales outfit's tenth summer signing. The 21-year-old defender emerged through City's academy but has made only two senior appearances for the club. Doyle has shone out on loan, though, helping Sunderland to promotion from League One in 2022 and reaching the Championship play-off final with Coventry during the next season. The England Under-21 international later joined Leicester, where he again assisted his team in gaining automatic promotion, this time to the Premier League, and spent last term with Norwich. Doyle revealed earlier this summer that he was ready to move on from City permanently. As per The Athletic, Wrexham now appear close to winning the race to secure his services after fighting off interest from Scottish giants Rangers and Championship rivals Sheffield United. That Doyle should choose the Red Dragons over the Gers is perhaps surprising after he previously revealed his childhood dream of playing against Celtic. Speaking last year, as City prepared to face Brendan Rodgers' side in a pre-season friendly, he said: "[I'm] probably [most looking forward to] Celtic. I've always dreamed since I was a little kid to play against Celtic. Since I was watching the derbies between Celtic and Rangers, I feel like it'll be a good game, a good test and a good battle." Article continues below Wrexham target Callum Doyle previously spent time on loan in the Championship with Leicester City in 2023/24 Doyle starred in the second half of the match in the US, helping him to fulfil a lifelong ambition. And given his fondness for the Old Firm derby, Rangers would have seemed like the perfect fit. However, it's been reported that location is a key factor for the youngster, who lives in Manchester. Wrexham have already broken their transfer record three times so far this summer after securing promotion to the Championship in April. The club has achieved three consecutive promotions under the ownership of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac. Nathan Broadhead is currently Wrexham's most expensive player after they forked out a fee which could rise up to £10m for the Wales and Ipswich winger last week. Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. The signing of left-back Liberato Cacace from Empoli was initially their biggest deal after joining for a sum reported to be almost £2.2m. Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien then surpassed that after being recruited for a figure reported to be anywhere between £3m and £5m. Wrexham have also paid £2m each for defender Conor Coady and Wales striker Kieffer Moore from Leicester and Sheffield United respectively. Bolton midfielder George Thomason was also brought in for £1.2m and Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie made the switch for £700,000, while Josh Windass and Danny Ward came in as free transfers. The addition of Doyle would therefore see their total spending during the current transfer window reach around £30m. Manager Phil Parkinson has made it clear he still wants to introduce a few more new faces to the Racecourse Ground before next month's deadline. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here Article continues below "We're looking across the board," he said. "We probably do need a couple more players, we're looking at that. It's ongoing, it's obviously busy for all managers and clubs at the moment when you're preparing for games and looking to improve the squad." Wrexham have lost their first two games in the second tier after being beaten 2-1 away at Southampton in their opening fixture and suffering a 3-2 defeat at home to West Brom at the weekend. Parkinson's side are next due to face troubled Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday as they continue their hunt for their first points of the campaign.
BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Deals are likely to go to the wire' as Everton try and bolster squad
The James Tarkowski penalty debate is still raging and while David Moyes was furious with the decision, I know it is unlikely to have been that which kept him up last night. He will be more concerned with his side's performance after just one shot on target.A serious rebuild is needed at Everton after 12 players went out the exit door over the summer. Many, it can be argued, were not good enough to launch an assault on the European places this season but, even so, it has left the squad was obvious the transfer window would be a slow burner for the Toffees during their trip to America last month. The squad for the Premier League Summer Series was padded out with under-21 players and the manager himself announced he was looking to bringin "nine or 10" more in the coming arrival of Jack Grealish on loan last week did create a buzz. It has been a good while since the Blue half of Merseyside made a marquee signing. You could argue the England star is the first big name since the arrival of James Rodriguez in 2020 - though it should be said no fans got to see the Columbia winger play in the flesh because of the pandemic!However, that good feeling Grealish created driving into Finch Farm disappeared as fast as the travelling Blues left Elland Road on Monday night. It is very clear the club needs numbers - and midfielder James Garner was forced to play at left-back while Jake O'Brien, who has made his desires to return to being a centre-back clear, has been the first-choice right-back since Moyes returned last term. Just two examples of how lacking Everton are right is my understand that deals are likely to go to the wire on deadline day simply because, while Everton are within the profit and sustainability rules threshold, they are not allowed to spend big so it means there is competition for the players they are looking only consolation for fans is the window shuts at 19:00 BST so at least it will not be a late night waiting for news. Watch more reaction on iPlayer
BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
'The momentum was there'
BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope believes Leeds United's win over Everton was hugely important with the international break on the horizon, along with games against Arsenal and told BBC Sport: "I'm not saying the board is thinking of making an early change or anything like that but if there are no points on the board three games in, you know what the clamour will be like, particularly around the Premier League and the fanbases, wanting changes and what have you. "It was crucial for Daniel Farke to get those points on the board. "Nine maybe ten wins will probably do it, to get one early on - superb. "The momentum was there. It was like they felt they carried on from last season."
