Xavi's Impossible Dream: Barcelona's Bid for Diaz from Liverpool

The Near-Miss: Barcelona's Diaz Bid

The Spanish coach Xavi Hernández admitted that Barcelona had actually been pursuing Liverpool star Luis Díaz while he was in charge of the club. Despite genuine interest and a clear priority to bring the Colombian to the Camp Nou, the financial situation at the time rendered the move impossible. Barcelona’s board faced a financial reality that simply couldn’t accommodate the signing of a world-class winger.

Diaz's Move to Bayern and His Current Form

Diaz eventually joined Bayern Munich this past summer for €70 million, becoming a major addition for Vincent Kompany’s side. He has already shown his quality, with multiple performances shaping Bayern’s attack and helping them compete at the top of the Bundesliga. In a standout match, Diaz helped Bayern to a 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, where two goals came from Diaz and Harry Kane scored the third. The attention on Diaz’s transfer is not only about the price tag but about how he has integrated into a new system and city.

Max Eberl, the sporting director, spoke highly of Diaz’s contributions, noting his willingness to defend, press, and attack with equal intensity. Kompany echoed those sentiments on Sky, saying Diaz participates in every moment the team has a chance to seize, and that his energy lifts the entire squad. Diaz himself explained that while Barcelona was in talks, he ultimately chose Bayern because it was the best path for his career and his development.

In his first ten matches for Bayern, Diaz has recorded six goals and four assists across competitions. His Liverpool tenure, by contrast, saw 148 appearances with 41 goals and 23 assists. The transfer remains a talking point for fans who wonder what would have happened had Diaz joined Barcelona, especially given the financial constraints that dictated the decision.

Diaz’s impact goes beyond numbers. The club’s management highlighted his relentless work rate, ability to contribute to both defense and attack, and his readiness to win battles on the pitch. This has led to questions about whether Barcelona made the right call by not pursuing the move more aggressively when circumstances allowed.

Diaz, speaking about the decision in retrospective interviews, reaffirmed that there were talks with Barcelona but that his choice to join Bayern was driven by a combination of opportunity and environment. He described Bayern as a great club with a family-like atmosphere, which provided the motivation to give his best every week.

A quick snapshot: Diaz has 10 appearances for Bayern so far this season, with six goals and four assists. The Liverpool chapter remains part of the narrative, and fans continue to debate the long-term implications of that missed opportunity for Barcelona’s attacking lineup. The episode also underscores how a single transfer decision can ripple through clubs and leagues for years to come.

Diaz speaks

The Colombian star has previously discussed the transfer window in interviews, noting that talks with Barcelona happened, but the final decision favored Bayern. He emphasized the importance of finding the right club and environment for his continued growth, an opportunity he believes he has found in Munich.

Around the numbers

Since the summer, Diaz’s statistics reflect his impact: a tally of goals and assists that underscores his all-around contribution. His move follows his productive spell at Liverpool, where he compiled a substantial goal and assist tally over 148 games. The Bayern chapter is still unfolding, and Diaz’s form is contributing to Bayern’s ambitions. Then again, every time he scores, Liverpool fans may start asking, “What could have been?”