Bayern Munich make final decision on Luis Diaz transfer after Liverpool rejected £58.5m bid

Liverpool are braced for a second bid from Bayern Munich after the German giants made it clear that signing Luis Diaz is their top priority. Diaz, 28, was the subject of a £58.5million bid from Bayern earlier this week.

That offer was flatly rejected by Liverpool, leaving Vincent Kompany's side with a decision to make. Bayern have also been in talks with Stuttgart over signing highly-rated striker Nick Woltemade.

The 23-year-old registered eight goals and assists in just five appearances at the recent under-21 European Championship, as Germany reached the final before losing to England in extra-time. But Stuttgart's lofty asking price of £55million has seen Bayern cool their pursuit of Woltemade.

Now the Bundesliga champions are said to have paused negotiations altogether. Bild report that Bayern are fully focussed on Diaz and remain optimistic that a deal can be done.

Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and sporting director Max Eberl are prioritising talks with and want to finalise the move before the new season. Diaz is understood to be open to joining Bayern, especially after Barcelona - previously the favourites to sign the Colombian - shifted their attention to Marcus Rashford, who's set to join on loan from Manchester United.

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It's also understood that Diaz has informed Liverpool chiefs of his desire to leave. Bayern are planning to recruit at least one new forward this summer, targeting a winger who's able to provide for Harry Kane.

That's after Leroy Sane failed to agree a new contract and signed for Galatasaray. Jamal Musiala then suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle during a horrific incident at the Club World Cup.

But not everyone thinks that Diaz is the right man. Former Bayern and Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann recently urged his old club to sign Brajan Gruda from Brighton instead.

How much should Bayern Munich pay for Luis Diaz? Have your say in the comments section.

Hamann asked Sky Germany: "To now bring in Luis Diaz, a 28-year-old South American who played 50 games per season for four or five years and has those long flights home - which are also a problem - to pay 70 or 80 million for that, while the sale value is zero because he would be 32 at the end of his contract, I wonder what they even have the campus [academy] for?"

"I would get Gruda," Hamann continued. "For me, he's one of the best German players. He was injured for a long time, but played very well towards the end of the season. Gruda can play on the outside and in the middle. He would be my first option."

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