'Dangerous game' ready to land world-class star at Liverpool

Liverpool are monitoring developments at the Allianz Arena after Bayern Munich’s reluctance to reward Michael Olise with a contract befitting his stellar 2025-26 campaign, according to German football expert Christian Falk.

Olise, 24, has exploded into one of Europe’s most decisive wide forwards, registering 13 goals and 25 assists in all competitions for Vincent Kompany’s side. In the Bundesliga alone, the French international has contributed 10 goals and 16 assists in 23 outings, earning an average FotMob rating of 8.16—numbers that have made him indispensable to Bayern’s push for a domestic and European treble.

Yet, despite a deal that runs until June 2029, Olise is understood to be on a salary structure well below the club’s top bracket. Bayern’s hierarchy are currently locked in negotiations with Harry Kane and are wary of accelerating parallel talks with Olise for fear of complicating the England captain’s deal. Falk describes that stance as a “dangerous game,” one that could leave the former Crystal Palace prodigy unsettled.

Liverpool have taken note. Sporting director Richard Hughes has already carried out background checks on Olise, and while sources including Fabrizio Romano and Florian Plettenberg stress that a transfer is now viewed as improbable, the Reds remain on red alert should Bayern fumble their wage structure. No release clause exists in Olise’s contract, and Bayern—who privately value the player at around €200 million—have categorically ruled out a sale, instead preparing an improved extension to ward off Liverpool, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Olise’s injury record has improved markedly; he featured for 89 minutes in Bayern’s 3-2 defeat of Borussia Dortmund on 28 February and tormented RB Leipzig with a goal and three assists in a 5-1 rout in January. Even so, the standoff over remuneration continues, and Liverpool—frustrated by the difficulty of prising him away—have begun to weigh more attainable Bundesliga targets such as RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande.

For now, Olise’s future rests in Bayern’s hands. If the Bavarians do not move swiftly to recognise his ascent into the sport’s elite, Liverpool stand ready to capitalise on what could become the transfer saga of next summer.