Luis Diaz is leaving Anfield to join Bayern Munich after the German champions agreed a deal worth around £65 million for the Colombian forward. The transfer was finalized over the weekend, and Diaz was granted permission to exit Liverpool’s pre-season camp in Tokyo on Monday to complete his move to Germany.
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Bayern Land Their Target
The 28-year-old had been pushing for a move since last summer, and after Liverpool failed twice to extend his contract – which had two years remaining – they accepted his departure as unavoidable. Diaz expressed his joy at joining Bayern, calling the club one of the biggest in the world. “I want to help my new team with my football and my personality,” he said. “My goal is to win every title possible, and we’ll work hard together to achieve that.”
From Anfield Hero to Bundesliga Star
Diaz leaves Liverpool after three and a half successful years, having scored 41 goals in 148 appearances. During his time on Merseyside, he won the Premier League, FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups. Signed from Porto in 2022 for £37.5 million plus add-ons, Diaz had also netted 41 goals in 125 games for the Portuguese club. One of his most emotional moments at Liverpool came in November 2023 when, just days after his father was kidnapped and held hostage in Colombia for nearly two weeks, Diaz came off the bench to score a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Luton.
Bayern Excited About Diaz’s Style
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund praised Diaz’s energy, work rate, and versatility. He described the Colombian as a player who brings intensity, speed, and goal-scoring ability to the team, along with valuable experience at both club and international levels. Freund believes Diaz will excite Bayern fans with his all-around game.
Sunderland Sign Xhaka in Surprise Move
Meanwhile, Sunderland have completed a surprise move by signing Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year deal. The 32-year-old joins after helping Leverkusen win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal last season, making 49 appearances including 10 in the Champions League. Xhaka brings a wealth of experience, having previously played for Basel, Borussia Monchengladbach, and Arsenal – where he spent seven years, made 225 league appearances, and won two FA Cups. The Swiss captain and national record appearance holder said he felt the energy of Sunderland right away and is excited to help the club build a new era with his experience and leadership.
