Former Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has informed Bayern Munich that he wishes to remain at the club, a decision that may boost the Reds' chances of signing PSG winger Bradley Barcola this summer.
Liverpool have been heavily linked with Barcola as they search for a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who left Anfield at the end of the season. A deal is expected to cost over £100 million, but that is unlikely to deter manager Andoni Iraola's side. However, they face competition from Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
Diaz commits future to Bayern
Diaz joined Bayern from Liverpool last summer for £66 million and enjoyed a resounding debut season, scoring 26 goals and providing 23 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions. That form attracted interest from Saudi club Al-Hilal, with French publication L'Equipe reporting a potential opening bid of at least €70 million (£60m).
But Sky Germany reports that Diaz has told Bayern he wants to stay. The German champions are therefore unwilling to enter negotiations with any club regarding a transfer and have not set an asking price. The 29-year-old still has three years left on his contract.
Barcola pursuit clears
With Diaz's future settled, Bayern are unlikely to venture into the market for an attacking reinforcement, ending their pursuit of Barcola. Meanwhile, Arsenal are said to be prioritising a move for Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior over Barcola, potentially leaving Liverpool with a clear path to the PSG star.
PSG may have been more receptive to a transfer amid their pursuit of RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, who had also attracted Liverpool's attention. However, Real Madrid beat them to the signing, and PSG issued a statement confirming they have withdrawn from the race.
"PSG has this evening officially withdrawn its interest and its bids for Yan Diomande," the statement read. "The asking transfer fee and salary demands were completely disproportionate and distortive - and PSG will not break its principles of rational financial management and squad balance."
"As a two-time consecutive Champions League winner and the most successful club in recent years, PSG will also not engage in the inflationary and manipulative games of certain player agents - and will instead calmly and confidently continue its transfer planning."
