Bayern Munich 'join race' to sign Liverpool star Arne Slot is desperate to keep after missing out on Florian Wirtz transfer

The Premier League champions aren't hanging around when it comes to strengthening their hand for next season's title defence.

Liverpool secured their second league win of the Premier League era and immediately moved to bring in right-back Jeremie Frimpong, who should increase Arne Slot's flexibility on the flank in the aftermath of Trent Alexander-Arnold's acrimonious departure.

With the announcement of left-back Milos Kerkez's signing from Bournemouth also imminent, the Reds went big in the middle of the pitch with a record deal for German attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz that could rise to £116m if add-ons are fulfilled.

The more traditional route for a talented young German star who helps to deny Bayern Munich the Bundesliga title – as Wirtz did under former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso with Bayer Leverkusen in 2023-24 – is simply to swap sides.

It was widely reported that Bayern did indeed have an interest in one of Europe's most in-demand players but Wirtz's move to the Premier League has left the Bavarian giants scouting around for alternative acquisitions even as their Club World Cup campaign continues in something approaching earnest in the United States.

According to Liverpool.com, the German champions have turned their attention to Anfield in an effort to prise away their Wirtz consolation signing.

But Bayern manager Vincent Kompany could face serious competition from Barcelona and indeed Slot for the services of Colombian winger Luis Diaz, who is in their crosshairs along with teammate Cody Gakpo.

"Bayern Munich has supposedly added Luis Diaz to its list of options," reports Matt Addison.

Diaz has said he's keen to stay at Liverpool if an agreement can be reached to extend his contract, which runs out in two years' time, and Slot is believed to want the same outcome.

Liverpool's Colombian forward Luis Diaz (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Bayern were also interested in Barcelona-bound Nico Williams and Real Madrid star Rodrygo but those dead ends have pushed them towards Merseyside as well as Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola and Jamie Gittens of Borussia Dortmund.

With a checklist like that, Bayern's recruitment team won't have much time to enjoy the team's Club World Cup fixtures.

Kompany's men beat semi-professionals Auckland City 10-0 in their opening match and edged past Boca Juniors in the second.

Tuesday's match against Benfica will decide only whether Bayern will finish first or second in the group but the Lisbon team need to avoid defeat or they'll be left hoping that Auckland can keep the score down against Boca.