Liverpool are credited with an interest in Michael Olise as a replacement for Mohamed Salah this summer after the Bayern Munich forward's impressive World Cup with France
Michael Olise playing for France
Michael Olise has impressed for France during the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
View Image
Michael Olise has reportedly decided to leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid this summer. However, it is said that a return to the Premier League does not tempt the France international.
Liverpool are long-standing admirers of Olise, having watched him play for Reading in the Championship five years ago while checking on Harvey Elliott during his loan at Blackburn Rovers. However, those inside Anfield quickly rebuffed any suggestion that the Reds would look to replace Mohamed Salah with the winger.
Their belief earlier this summer was that Olise is happy and settled in Bavaria. He was seemingly not for sale.
Content Image
Content Image
Foot Mercato, however, have reported that the former Crystal Palace player wants to join Madrid. L'Equipe are now saying the same, too, and claim that he is no longer hiding his desire to leave for the Spanish capital.
Olise is said to have spoken with Aurelien Tchouameni and Kylian Mbappe about the club. He apparently has a particularly strong relationship with the latter.
It would reportedly take at least £170million for Bayern to consider selling. However, it is highlighted that Madrid have already earned £117million this summer, including £17million from Osasuna, which was half the fee Liverpool paid them for Victor Munoz.
Bayern have been bullish about their stance on Olise, though. Their honorary president, Uli Hoeness, said earlier this year: "Liverpool have already spent €500 million this year and are having a very poor season; we won't contribute to them playing better next year."
He added: "We play this game for our fans. We have 430,000 members, we have millions of fans all over the world, and it doesn't help them much if we have €200 million in the bank but play worse football every Saturday because of it."
Their board member for sport, Max Eberl, was even more emphatic when asked about links to Real Madrid: He said: "We're not wasting any thought on that.
"He's a Bayern player and has all the opportunities here that top players could wish for. Michael has a contract with us until 2029, without a release clause - we're relaxed."
Eberl later doubled down by adding: "We have a long-term project, Michael feels right at home. You can see how this team works, and when we play football like this, there's no chance for anyone else."
Their chief executive, Jan-Christian Dreesen, shared a similar stance. He said: "No matter which club tries to lure him away, anyone who plays for Bayern knows what they have at Bayern."
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page