Bayern Munich blocks massive Al Hilal bid for Luis Diaz as Saudi sports spending reshapes global capital flows

Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has shut down speculation that Colombian winger Luis Diaz could be headed to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, reportedly for a fee between €120-150 million. His exact words on the prospect of selling? “We’d be stupid, wouldn’t we?” The deal that wasn’t Diaz arrived at Bayern Munich in the summer of 2025, transferring from Liverpool for €75 million including add-ons. His contract runs through 2029, giving the German club significant leverage in any negotiation. Al Hilal reportedly prepared a bid valued at €120-150 million, roughly double what Bayern paid just months ago. On top of that, the Saudi club was allegedly willing to offer Diaz an annual salary of approximately €25 million. Dreesen described the departure rumors as “totally wide of the mark.” The CEO emphasized confidence in Bayern’s squad depth, with Diaz slotting into an attacking lineup alongside Michael Olise and Harry Kane. Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.