Luis Diaz makes a saluting gesture as Nick Woltemade looks angry next to him.

(Photos by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

New signings add firepower as Bayern push for a strong Bundesliga start

By Farrell Keeling - 19th Aug 2025, 09:23am

Having reclaimed their Bundesliga crown last season, Bayern Munich’s focus is now on retaining it.

Changes have come their way to the Allianz Arena, with legend Thomas Müller on his way out to join the Vancouver Whitecaps.

At the same time, Mathys Tel and Joao Palhinha have gone to English Premier League club Tottenham, among other exits.

So that has left the champions with a need to go poking around the transfer market to give them the required firepower needed to launch not only their domestic title defence, but to make their presence felt in the UEFA Champions League as well.

But who have Bayern Munich gone for? Is it enough? Who could be on the radar to join before the window closes?

Bayern favourites for Bundesliga title

The bookmakers are optimistic about the upcoming season for Bayern Munich. The pre-season markets on the long-term German Bundesliga winner market saw Bayern priced up as heavy odds-on favourites to claim the title, leaving the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig in their wake.

With markets like the Bundesliga winner and top goalscorer active well before the start of the season, there’s always plenty of opportunity to scope out markets at legal sportsbooks – like those available on AskGamblers, which experts have tagged as being reputable, recommended sites to use.

For all of Bayern’s matches across all competitions, pre-match and in-game live odds can be found as well.

So, while Bayern Munich head to the new season as favourites, how is their squad shaping up with new faces?

The big summer signing

English Premier League champions Liverpool have gone on a spending spree to improve their forward ranks this summer. That has been helpful to Bayern Munich, as they signed Colombian forward Luis Diaz from the Reds.

Bayern had their eye on him for some time, with the Reds eventually giving way due to their spending on the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.

Liverpool signing Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for more than €100m did Bayern Munich another favour by weakening one of their main rivals for the Bundesliga title.

Bayern’s deal for Luis Diaz is reported to be worth up to €75m, keeping the player at the club until 2029, and the transfer figure made Diaz the third most expensive player in the history of German football.

Why Diaz wanted out of Anfield

The influx of forwards this summer at Anfield must have made Diaz wonder about his future role at the club.

The 28-year-old is at a peak age where he knew he could command a big fee and salary, but it didn’t look like that was coming at Anfield.

Back in 2024, Diaz allegedly spoke to Liverpool, letting them know of his desire to leave. However, he was prevented from going anywhere last summer, even though there was reported interest from Manchester City and Saudi Arabia.

Again, informing the club that he wanted a move away may have been a play to work himself a better contract at Anfield, but the two parties remained far apart.

Even as recent as earlier this summer, there were discussions over a contract extension for Diaz at Liverpool – but nothing came out of those talks either.

Bayern needed a marquee signing

The club’s main target this summer was Florian Wirtz, but the striker chose Liverpool over Bayern.

That misfire in the transfer market, along with Leroy Sane not taking a contract extension and Muller’s departure, left Bayern with some poor optics.

They needed a big signing and were reportedly linked with Nico Williams, Bradley Barcola, and Jamie Gittens.

But the door was closed on all of those potential options, so they turned their attention to Luiz Diaz, who they thought would have to get into a bidding war with Barcelona for.

What Diaz delivers

In Diaz, Bayern Munich get a player in his prime, who possesses a lot of qualities that will fit into the team’s shape very nicely.

Diaz is used to an aggressive, high-pressing game thanks to his time under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. In the English Premier League last season, Diaz produced 13 goals and seven assists, his most productive season for the club.

This natural left-winger likes to come in off the left, an area where Bayern were short of quality.

Last season, the Colombian made a name for himself for ghosting into the box to get on the end of cutbacks from the right flank.

With Michael Olise on the other wing, Jamal Musiala floating around, and Harry Kane up top, Bayern’s attacking unit looks nicely balanced and threatening.

Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof

The only other two confirmed arrivals at the club are Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof. Tah, an experienced international centreback for Germany, was signed from Bayer Leverkusen on a contract through to 2029, adding consistency and quality to the back line for a good deal at just €2m (for his early release from contract).

Bischof arrives from Hoffenheim on a free transfer, and is a versatile midfielder who can not only operate as a number 10, but also wider and even as a deeper-lying midfielder. The 20-year-old looks like a squad player who offers a lot of cover from the bench on matchdays.

In the hunt for more?

So, it’s not been a particularly busy summer for Bayern Munich, but they got their marquee signing in Diaz across the line, which will have eased some pressure off the club. But is there potentially more to come before the close of the transfer window?

As always, there are plenty of rumours flying around. Among those is Bilal El Khannouss, who is currently with Leicester City in the second tier of English football. The Moroccan international has been linked with a move away from the club for a while.

Bayern have also been linked with Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, with the Blues refusing to rule out selling the forward. Jackson, who gave the Blues boss Enzo Maresca some selection headaches up front during this summer’s successful Club World Cup run, has been linked to other Premier League clubs like Newcastle and Manchester United as well. Still, Bayern may see him as a capable backup for Kane.

But Bayern are also potentially looking at Stuttgart forward Nick Woltenhade. His agents are reportedly putting pressure on Bayern to finalise a deal as soon as possible, if they want him. But Stuttgart have already rejected €50m and are holding out for big money for the 23-year-old.