Liverpool are preparing to face a second offer from Bayern Munich, in the context that the Bundesliga team has identified Luis Diaz as the top transfer target this summer.
The Colombian striker was valued at around £58.5 million by Bayern in his first offer. However, this offer was rejected by Liverpool, forcing the "Gray Tigers" to return to the negotiation table with a higher number.
While waiting for a response from Liverpool, Bayern are also negotiating with Stuttgart about the case of Nick Woltemade, a highly rated young striker in the Bundesliga. This could be a backup option if Diaz's signing deal continues to be at a standstill.
23-year-old striker Woltemade made a strong impression at the EURO U21 when he contributed 8 goals in 5 matches. This young star contributed greatly to helping the German U21 team advance to the final before losing to England U21 in extra time.
However, the sky-high price of £55 million demanded by Stuttgart has caused Bayern Munich to decide to abandon the pursuit of Woltemade in the summer transfer window of 2025.
Currently, the reigning Bundesliga champions are said to have completely suspended negotiations with Stuttgart on the case of Woltemade. According to German media, they are focusing all their efforts on the Diaz deal and are still optimistic about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Liverpool in the near future.
Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and sporting director Max Eberl are prioritizing the acceleration of negotiations to complete Diaz's deal before the new season starts. The 28-year-old striker is said to be very ready to join the Allianz Arena.
The move was further fueled after Barcelona - previously seen as a leading candidate to sign Diaz - shifted to Marcus Rashford, who is likely to travel to Camp Nou on loan from Manchester United.
A source said Diaz had officially informed Liverpool's board of directors about his desire to leave in the summer transfer window. Bayern Munich are also planning to sign at least one new striker, prioritizing the search for a winger who can effectively support Harry Kane in the squad.
After today's Sane refused to sign a new contract and moved to Galatasaray, the "Gray Tigers" struggled with Jamal Musiala suffering a serious injury. The German international broke his leg and ankle in a match at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
In that context, not many people believe that Diaz will be the optimal choice for Bayern. Former Bayern and Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has recently called on his former club to focus on recruiting Brajan Gruda, Brighton's young talent, as an additional option.
"I will choose Gruda. In my opinion, he is one of the most outstanding young talents in German football. Despite having suffered a long-term injury, Gruda played very well at the end of last season. He can play flexibly in both midfield and central midfield positions. That will be my top choice" - Hamann said.
