‘Bayern tried to sign me’ – Liverpool star reveals he was in ‘talks’ this summer

Liverpool have had an excellent start to their 2024/25 Premier League season, winning all three of their opening league games.

Arne Slot’s side shared a lot of the same targets with German champions Bayern Munich this summer, poaching Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen from the record Bundesliga champions.

Bayern snapped back with a move of their own, purchasing Luis Diaz from Liverpool in a deal worth £65 million.

Vincent Kompany’s team saw multiple forward targets slip away to Premier League clubs like Nick Woltemade and Benjamin Sesko, who moved to Newcastle United and Manchester United respectively.

A second Liverpool star also held talks with Bayern before they completed the signing of Luis Diaz.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot clapping his hands
Credit: Imago

Cody Gakpo admits Bayern Munich’s failed transfer approach

Bayern are aiming to win a 35th Bundesliga title, while Liverpool are hoping to win their third Premier League title this season.

In a new transfer twist, star winger Cody Gakpo has revealed that he was Bayern’s primary transfer target instead of Diaz.

Speaking to ESPN, via Fabrizio Romano, Gakpo said: ““Bayern tried to sign me, there were talks… but in the end, they decided to go for Luis Diaz.”

Gakpo has since signed a new contract extension at Anfield, keeping him at Liverpool for the foreseeable future.

Cody Gakpo Liverpool
Cody Gakpo

Gakpo’s early impact sets Liverpool up for title defence

Football Insider verdict

Liverpool’s perfect start has been boosted by their ruthless goalscoring, having won their opening three games by an aggregate score of 8-4.

The headlines have been given to Hugo Ekitike for his two goals in three games, but Gakpo is perhaps the unsung hero of this side.

GoalscorersG+A
Hugo Ekitike3
Mohamed Salah2
Cody Gakpo3
Rio Ngumoha1
Federico Chiesa1
Dominik Szoboszlai1
Ryan Gravenberch1
Liverpool’s goalscorers this season and their other goal involvements

The Dutchman has registered a goal and two assists across the opening three games of the season and has made himself almost undroppable.

Liverpool are set to kick on after their impressive start, having added Alexander Isak in a £125m record deadline day deal, to their ranks as well.