Luis Diaz risks Bayern Munich fines over German language contract clause
Luis Diaz is facing potential financial penalties at Bayern Munich after struggling to adhere to a specific contract clause requiring him to learn German.
The Colombia international has made a blistering start to life in Bavaria following his £65.5m move from Liverpool last summer.
He has registered 19 goals and 15 assists in 33 appearances, helping his new club to the top of the Bundesliga table.
However, the transition away from the pitch has proved more challenging for the winger.
Language lessons mandatory in Munich
It has emerged that Diaz is contractually obliged to attend German language lessons two to three times a week.
According to reports in Germany, the club can impose significant fines if these sessions are missed or if insufficient progress is shown.
Sanctions range from €5,000 (£4,400) up to €50,000 (£44,000) depending on the level of non-compliance.
Bayern Munich historically enforce this rule for all non-German speaking signings to aid integration.
Communication struggles continue
The South American forward faced similar linguistic hurdles during his three-and-a-half-year spell on Merseyside.
He frequently relied on Spanish-speaking team-mates such as Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez to communicate with the coaching staff at Anfield.
Diaz recently admitted that adapting to the new culture remains his biggest obstacle.
“The most difficult thing for me and my family was, and still is, certainly the language.”
Luis Diaz told Sky Sports
“But I knew that I would fit in very well here, that I would contribute to the team’s success – just as I had done before in Liverpool.”
Team-mates stepping in
Upon his arrival at the Allianz Arena, Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha acted as an initial translator before his subsequent move to Tottenham.
Vice-captain Joshua Kimmich has since taken on the responsibility of helping the new signing integrate.
“We have a few guys who can speak a bit of Spanish. His English is also okay. So we’re managing that as a team.”
Joshua Kimmich
Fellow forward Harry Kane has also admitted to a slow learning curve with the language since his own high-profile switch from the Premier League.