Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Colombia forward Luis Diaz from Liverpool.
A fee which is understood to be £65million (€75million) was agreed on Sunday after the Bundesliga champions returned with an offer closer to what the Anfield club consider the market value for the 28-year-old.
Diaz was given permission to leave the Premier League champions and on Monday he departed Tokyo, where the team are preparing for Wednesday's match against Yokohama F Marinos, for Germany.
The player had been pushing for a move since last summer and, after two failed attempts to agree an extension to the two years he had remaining on his contract, Liverpool reluctantly accepted his departure was inevitable.
"I'm very happy, it means a lot to me to be part of FC Bayern – it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world," Diaz told Bayern’s website.
"I want to help my new team with my way of playing football and my personality. My goal is to win every possible title, and that’s what we’ll work for every day as a team."
The move brings to an end a three-and-a-half-year stay on Merseyside during which Diaz scored 41 goals in 148 matches, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.
He previously played for Porto, from whom Liverpool signed him in 2022 for £37.5m plus add-ons, scoring 41 times in 125 appearances for the Portuguese side.
In November 2023 his father was kidnapped in Colombia by rebels and held hostage for 12 days, before being released unharmed.
During the ordeal, Diaz came off the bench to score a stoppage-time equaliser for Liverpool in a 1-1 draw away against Luton.
Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund said: "Luis creates a real goal threat and is a scorer, and at the same time he works incredibly hard for his team. He is a fast, versatile footballer and brings an intense style of play to the pitch.
"He has also gained a lot of experience at the top level with Liverpool and the Colombia national team. Luis Diaz represents a complete package that will thrill our fans."
Hugo Ekitike’s arrival last week means the Reds have already bolstered their attacking options and they maintain an interest in Newcastle’s wantaway striker Alexander Isak.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said: "This is also who we are as a club. We are making big signings but this club also needs to recoup funds to get these transfers that we already did over the line.
"It has been a summer where we've spent a lot but I think if people look at all the money we’ve already brought in, that’s also – like last year when we almost only sold players – a good thing for this club as well."
Sunderland have completed the signing of Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year contract.
The 32-year-old midfielder arrives at the Stadium of Light having spent two years with Leverkusen and was part of their impressive 2023-24 season, where they were crowned Bundesliga champions and lifted the DFB-Pokal.
Xhaka made 49 appearances in all competitions for Leverkusen last season, including 10 in the Champions League.
He began his career at Basel before joining Borussia Monchengladbach and boasts Premier League pedigree having spent seven years at Arsenal following a move to north London in 2016, where he made 225 league appearances and won the FA Cup twice.
A Switzerland international, Xhaka has captained the team since 2020 and is their record appearance holder with 137 caps.
He told the club's official website: "I'm very proud to be here. When I spoke to the club, I was excited and I felt the energy, and the mentality that all the people and players have.
"It's exactly what I wanted, and I have a very good feeling. We are back to where this club needs to be, and we want to stay here to write our own history.
"I feel that I'm ready to help the team with my experience but with quality as well.
"We need to find ourselves on the pitch, but I don't think this will be a big problem. It's been a long time to wait, but I'm here now and I'm looking forward to it."
Manchester United are pursuing a deal for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko (above), it is understood.
Ruben Amorim's Red Devils are in the midst of a rebuild having stumbled home 15th in the Premier League and lost May’s all-or-nothing Europa League final to Tottenham.
United’s misfiring frontline was a major issue last term and the club are looking to sign a striker this summer, with Sesko in their sights ahead of the new season.
The Slovenia international, 22, has long been on the club’s radar and is also a target of Newcastle, who missed out on Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool and have an unsettled star in Alexander Isak.
United also like Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but Sesko – who could reportedly be available for in the region of £70million – is understood to be their current priority.
Amorim’s side had looked at Liam Delap earlier in the summer, only for the Ipswich striker to favour a move to Chelsea.
The Red Devils are currently in the United States taking part in the Premier League Summer Series having so far made two key summer acquisitions.
Matheus Cunha joined from Wolves in a £62.5million deal last month, with Bryan Mbeumo last week following in a move that could cost up to £71million after protracted negotiations with Brentford.
Teenage wing-back Diego Leon has also linked up with United after a deal was struck with Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno in January.
In terms of exits, Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent switch.
United are still trying to shift Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia, while Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and now retired Jonny Evans left at the end of their contracts.
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
