Luis Diaz holds the key for sensational £87m forward deal

Liverpool sold Luis Diaz last summer - a deal which has since split the fanbase.

For an initial fee of £60m - rising to £65m - the Colombian winger joined Bayern Munich.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was unable to come to terms with the 29-year-old over a new contract - with his deal expiring in 2027.

And so - with time ticking down - it was decided a sale was the only possible outcome.

The Premier League champions may be regretting Diaz’s sale as left-wing replacement Cody Gakpo has not really been up the standard.

Diaz’s capability of filling in at centre-forward has also been missed meanwhile and Lucho has taken his goalscoring touch with him to Bayern.

Diaz is probably the signing of the European season and his deal with Bayern could come with another unexpected boost for Liverpool - as Yan Diomande looms into transfer focus ahead of the summer.

Liverpool want Yan Diomande

The Ivorian winger has made a name for himself during his debut Bundesliga campaign with RB Leipzig. Under contract until 2030 the 19-year-old is expected to go for around €100m (£87m) in the next transfer window.

Liverpool hold a big advantage for his signature with the wide man declaring his preference for an Anfield switch. And owing to Diaz’s Bayern form there is little to no chance of Vincent Kompany’s side contesting his signing next summer.

That will provide a major incentive for Liverpool to tie up the deal as Bayern usually make a habit of signing the best domestic talent.

Christian Falk - the trusted Bayern insider - says Red Bull’s asking price of £87m is now established and Bayern do not see the winger as the finished article as yet.

Bayern won't pay £87m for Diomande - because of Diaz

With Diaz occupying the left-wing spot on a permanent basis they do not see the value in paying so much money for a reserve.

“I heard that Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool are all interested and can afford him,” Falk writes in his CF Bayern Insider column.

“Bayern Munich don’t need a “Plan A”, they need a “Plan B”; so €100m for a Plan B behind Diaz is just too much money.”

Diomande joined RB from Leganes in Spain last summer - enjoying a stunning rise in German football thus far. He is making waves on the international scene too - with his dribbling wizardry, finishing ability and searing pace marking him out as a future great.

With Bayern passing up the chance to go for Diomande it looks like Richard Hughes has been given a green light to conduct this deal.

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