Luis Díaz says he held summer talks with Barcelona before joining Bayern

Former Liverpool winger Luis Díaz has admitted he held talks with Barcelona before joining Bayern Munich this summer. 

The 28-year-old Colombian left Anfield for the Allianz Arena in July in a deal worth up to £65.5m. He had previously been the subject of an enquiry from Barcelona, who were firmly rebuffed by Liverpool.

It was the second straight summer that the La Liga champions had expressed interest in Diaz, with their enthusiasm no doubt heightened by a return of 17 goals in 50 appearances last season after Arne Slot frequently deployed him as a false nine, rather than in his more customary role on the left wing.

Diaz was seen as integral to Slot’s plans at that stage, but it became increasingly clear the Colombian was not prepared to extend his contract, making an improved offer from Bayern, whose initial bid of £58.6m was rejected, more palatable.

‘Luis Díaz is a loyal Barcelona fan and it would be his dream to go there’

Barcelona, their hands perhaps tied by financial considerations after a £6m board guarantee was required to safeguard the registration of summer signings Marcus Rashford, Marc Bernal, Gerard Martin, Roony Bardghji and Joan García, did not renew their interest.

Yet Diaz is known to have supported the Catalan club since childhood – “Luis is a loyal Barcelona fan and it would be his dream to go there”, his father has admitted – and the attacker has revealed that negotiations did take place before his move to Germany.

Nonetheless, he has no regrets about what might have been, preferring to focus on the continued support of his loyal Colombian following and the knowledge that he is forging the next chapter at another of the great European powerhouses. 

‘I decided objectively about my future’

“Colombians always support me,” Diaz said after helping Bayern defeat Chelsea 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday. “Today I saw the national team flags and my shirt, and I’m very happy for all the support. 

“I’m very happy to be at this great club. There were conversations [with Barcelona], as there are throughout the transfer market, with several teams. That’s what always drives the market, but I’m very calm about this decision. 

“I decided objectively about what was coming for my future, and the important thing is that I join a big club. It’s a great group, a great family, so nothing, [I] just try to give my all.”

That effort has paid off handsomely so far in the form of four goals and two assists from his first six matches for the Bavarian club, including the winning strike against VfB Stuttgart in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, the German equivalent of the Community Shield, on his debut.