28-Year-Old Winger Shakes up Bayern, and Maybe the World
Luis Díaz will reportedly move to Bayern Munich as they’ve agreed to pay Liverpool 75 million euros. The Germans have been in search of a new left-winger as they let Leroy Sané run down his contract. However, most fans are stuck panicking about what Liverpool could do with this new influx of cash. The move for Díaz changes Bayern, and maybe also the world.
What This Means for Bayern Munich
Bayern got what they wanted. Needed to fill the void after Sané’s departure, they explored plenty of different options for his replacement. They considered Nico Williams, Rafael Leão, and Rodrygo. Díaz is the oldest of the options and one of the most affordable. In Díaz, Bayern gets an excellent dribbler as he adds to a team full of great dribblers. His tendency to cut inside is good news for left-back Alphonso Davies, who could have space to run down the flank. I’d argue this was the safe choice for Bayern. Leão and Rodrygo would’ve come with much heavier price tags and immense pressure. Díaz won’t be expected to be the star of the attack, but instead a great complementary piece.
What This Means for Liverpool
Option 1: Go for the Home Run
The Premier League should be trembling, knowing that Liverpool received more money. After winning the league in a landslide, the Reds have been relentless this summer. They signed Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, and Milos Kerkez, costing almost 300 million pounds. The money from the Díaz sale gives them the green light to go for more, and the obvious choice for Liverpool is Real Madrid’s Rodrygo. Rodrygo is available to leave Real Madrid for under 100 million euros. Even though he’s played at right winger, he is naturally right-footed, perfect for Liverpool, who have an opening on the left flank. At just 24, he still has room to grow but is already known as one of football’s most talented wingers with a knack for performing when the lights are brightest. Additionally, he could be a long-term replacement for when Mohamed Salah moves on, since he is well-versed on the right wing. Miraculously, this move is rather low risk for Liverpool. If he doesn’t pan out, Liverpool still have a team capable of winning every competition they play for, and Cody Gakpo is a fine option on the left. If Rodrygo does pan out, Liverpool’s ceiling somehow rises another notch as they have an elite option at almost every position on the pitch.
Option 2: Play It Safe, Kind Of
With the new sum of money, Liverpool, instead of going for the home run, can use the money to make less sexy signings. If they trust Gakpo on the left, they can invest in a high upside backup like Lyon’s Malick Fofana, who can play on both wings. Another suggestion is that they could go after a proven backup for Ekitike, as Darwin Núñez may leave soon. Ekitike has elite potential, but it is not guaranteed to succeed in England. An older player with a solid goal-scoring pedigree could be a wise move for the Reds. The most obvious option for Liverpool is a new centre back. Ibrahima Konaté is in the last year of his contract, and Virgil van Dijk is 34. Additionally, they’ve already lost Jarell Quansah this summer. A move to add depth but also prepare for the future at centre back is important for Liverpool. The good news is that with the sale of Díaz, Liverpool has the funds to make any combination of the three potential moves I suggested. These moves likely don’t heighten the ceiling, but they certainly raise the floor.
