Liverpool Once Considered Luis Diaz–Julian Alvarez Swap Before Bayern Move
Last summer, Liverpool reportedly weighed up a sensational swap deal involving Luis Diaz and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez.
Diaz ultimately sealed a £65.5 million switch to Bayern Munich in July, ending a two-and-a-half-year spell at Anfield. The Colombian winger was pivotal under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, racking up 41 goals and 23 assists in 148 appearances.
Despite being a regular starter in Slot’s title-winning debut season, Diaz had made clear his desire to leave. He was unsettled and pushed for a move to Manchester City, who at the time were reigning Premier League champions. Early speculation suggested City interest, and according to The Telegraph, a swap deal with Alvarez was floated. However, City quickly dismissed the idea, unwilling to strengthen a direct rival.
Diaz remained at Liverpool and enjoyed his most productive season yet—17 goals and six assists in 50 games—before heading to Germany.
Meanwhile, Alvarez did depart last summer, joining Atletico Madrid in a £64.4 million deal, with add-ons worth up to £17.1 million. Since then, he has delivered 30 goals and eight assists in 60 appearances. While there were whispers of a Premier League return, his long-term contract, running until 2030, makes any move unlikely without a massive fee.
Liverpool, who had only signed Federico Chiesa in the summer of 2024, responded this year with a huge £450 million investment. Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and Florian Wirtz were all brought in to strengthen the attack following the exits of Diaz and Darwin Nunez—and the tragic death of Diogo Jota in a car accident.
The new-look side has started strongly, with three straight league wins putting Liverpool top of the Premier League heading into their next match against Burnley after the international break.
