Liverpool are setting the pace in the summer transfer market as Arne Slot prepares to defend the Premier League title.
The Reds have already injected quality into the title-winning squad through the acquisitions of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and, of course, the club-record signing of Florian Wirtz.
However, Richard Hughes must now turn his attention to offloading the fringes of the squad to balance the books at Anfield and subsidise the already hefty £180 million outlay this summer.
One player supporters may have hoped would remain on Merseyside for the upcoming season is Luis Diaz, but after Bayern Munich saw an opening offer rejected for the Colombian, Slot may be reeling from the words of his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images Sadio Mane signing for Bayern Munich hurt Jurgen Klopp
The charismatic German spent seven years battling against Bayern Munich at Borussia Dortmund before his move to Liverpool in 2016, often coming out on the wrong side of the rivalry in Germany.
Klopp saw first-team stars Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze depart for the Allianz Arena on free transfers, with the latter making the switch not long after the loss against their Bundesliga rivals in the 2013 Champions League final.
Fast forward nine years, and his Liverpool side were preparing to face Real Madrid for the second time in a Champions League final during Klopp’s tenure, with Bayern Munich the focal point of attention in the build-up in Paris.
“The Bayern rumours, I couldn’t care less,” Klopp said in his pre-match press conference. “We are all fully focused on this game. Sadio is completely focused and he knows how important it is to him and us. So, no concerns, completely normal.”
“It’s not the first time in my career that before a decisive game, Bayern Munich rumours are coming up. I don’t know exactly what I did, why that happens, but no problem at all.”
Sadio Mane announced his decision to leave for Germany after the loss to Real Madrid. While the move ultimately proved to be a catastrophic failure, history may repeat itself with Diaz.
Luis Diaz wants to leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich
According to TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, Diaz is unhappy with Liverpool’s transfer stance and would be willing to leave the Premier League champions this summer.
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
The 28-year-old has two years left on his contract at Anfield but would like a new deal to put him among the top earners at the club, and with no offer in sight, is considering a move elsewhere.
Indeed, the Reds hold all the cards for the future of Diaz but, with Alexander Isak the subject of a British transfer record enquiry and Liverpool leading Newcastle United in the race for Hugo Ekitike, a significant sale must be sanctioned before a move for either striker can come to fruition.
Diaz contributed to the title-winning campaign with 13 Premier League goals, his most productive season to date. However, there is certainly room for improvement on the left flank when comparing his contributions to those of Mohamed Salah.
Should Darwin Nunez leave Merseyside as expected this summer, the sale of Diaz alongside the Uruguayan could see a revamped front line for Slot next term. Should the links for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo complement a new centre forward.