Luis Díaz joins Bayern Munich to break the Bundesliga record. The Colombian winger arrives in Munich from Liverpool for €75 million, aiming to become a key figure on the Bavarian left flank. Let’s examine his playing style and how he fits in under Kompany.
Who is Luis Díaz?
Born in Barrancas on January 13, 1997, Luis Fernando Díaz Marulanda is a Colombian winger with a market value of around €70 million. He is right-footed, 180 cm tall, and weighs 68 kg.
Díaz began his football career at Barranquilla FC in 2016 but didn’t finish the season with his hometown team. Junior FC expressed interest, and the Colombian quickly made the move.
After excelling at Junior, Porto turned their attention to him two years later, signing him for approximately €7.22 million. He adapted quickly to the Portuguese league, becoming a key player in his first two seasons — playing 84 matches, scoring 18 goals, and providing 8 assists.
However, at the start of the 2021/22 season, he caught Liverpool’s attention by scoring 14 goals in 18 matches for Porto. The English club decided to bring him in during the winter transfer window for €49 million.
With the Reds, he played an important role in their success, helping them win titles like the Premier League and make deep runs in the Champions League. However, his level in the most recent season has been somewhat debated — despite recording 17 goals and 5 assists in 50 matches. Criticism has also been directed at his temperament, described by some as “hot-blooded.”
Bayern Munich were well aware of both his strengths and flaws, but still made an aggressive move to sign him — confident in his talent and experience despite his age (28). The €75 million fee raised eyebrows, but let’s analyze Luis Díaz’s last season and his playing style to assess the value.
A Complete Winger
Overall, Díaz is a player who embodies the qualities of a high-level winger: dribbling, passing, dueling, and more.
He stands out less in ball recoveries — while he presses with intensity and starts the defensive action, he is not the player who typically regains possession. He also doesn’t excel in crossing, as he prefers to beat his man and finish rather than deliver crosses for the striker.
Díaz recorded the highest success rate for progressive passes among Premier League wingers last season (89.36%), showing effectiveness in possession — a crucial trait at Bayern, where dominance of the ball and quick, incisive passing are essential.
He also had the second-highest pass completion rate in the opponent’s penalty area (72.73%) among wingers in the Premier League. Given Bayern’s style — frequently combining in tight attacking spaces — this precision adds a vital layer to their final-third efficiency.
Among all Premier League wingers, he ranks fifth overall with an average score of 87/100. His performances improved under Klopp’s system, where he became a crucial component. However, in Arne Slot’s team, his influence diminished — in part due to a change in playing style and positional adjustments, which impacted his precision and effectiveness in the final stretch of the season.
A Roadrunner on the Sideline
His heatmap shows how he constantly exploits the left flank — particularly in the attacking half. He starts his runs wide, looking to beat defenders in one-on-one situations, then cuts inside toward the box using his agility and acceleration to generate danger individually. He is creative and instinctive, yet committed to team play in possession phases.
His primary position is attacking left midfielder, starting 40% of his matches in that role. Interestingly, he also played 35% of the season’s matches as a center-forward, offering a dynamic alternative to Darwin Núñez. As a false nine, he dragged defenders out of position and used his quickness to exploit space — though he naturally plays on the wing and will likely operate there for Bayern Munich.
Transfer and Contract Figures
Luis Díaz joins Bayern from Liverpool for around €75 million, signing a contract through 2029.
He sees a major salary increase — from €3.3 million annually to €14 million — a sign that Bayern have full confidence in him and are ready to give him the trust and responsibility he sometimes lacked at Liverpool.
Comparison with Coman and Bryan Zaragoza
Bayern’s squad includes highly energetic and technically gifted wingers like Kingsley Coman and Bryan Zaragoza (though the latter is expected to go on loan to Celta Vigo).
Statistically, Díaz outperforms both in key passes, assists, and goals. However, he is slightly weaker in dribbling and crossing — the latter being a known limitation. Still, Kompany sees in him a player with the character to create chances from wide areas, engage defenders in direct duels, and be decisive in the final third through smart decision-making and effective passing.
Strong and Necessary Bet
Although the €75 million fee has generated criticism, Luis Díaz represents a unique and necessary addition to a Bayern side looking to dominate both domestically and in Europe.
Without a doubt, the Colombian adds experience, flair, and reliability to a left flank that has seen inconsistency — particularly from Coman. It’s a bold investment, but one with the potential for immediate impact.