Liverpool have been urged to make a summer move for Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise regardless of the financial cost, but the German champions appear to have no intention of selling the in-form Frenchman. The call comes from former Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant, who took to social media to state the Reds should pay any amount, plus forward Cody Gakpo, to secure Olise as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Olise, 24, has been in sensational form this season, scoring 20 goals and providing 29 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions. His performance in Bayern's thrilling 5-4 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain this week, where he scored and consistently troubled defender Nuno Mendes, has intensified the spotlight on him. His Estimated Transfer Value, according to FootballTransfers' algorithm, stands at €141 million, making him the third most valuable player in the world behind only Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland.
However, any potential move faces a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in Bayern Munich's public stance. The club's honorary president, Uli Hoeness, recently stated that even an offer of €200 million would not be enough to persuade Bayern to sell. In comments reported last weekend, Hoeness pointedly referenced Liverpool's own heavy spending and difficult season, suggesting Bayern would not aid a rival's rebuild. "We play this game for our fans," Hoeness said. "It does them little good if we have €200m more in the bank and play worse football every Saturday because of that."
The context of both clubs adds weight to Bayern's firm position. Olise, who joined Bayern from Crystal Palace in 2024, is a central figure in a team competing for a historic treble this season and is entering the conversation for individual accolades like the Ballon d'Or. Liverpool, meanwhile, are in a period of transition, having already invested heavily without achieving their desired results, casting doubt over their immediate competitiveness at the very highest level.
Bundesliga expert Ronan Murphy reinforced this view, telling TransfersDaily that a transfer makes little sporting sense for the player at this juncture. "Why would he leave a team on the cusp of another historic treble for one in transition, in turmoil?" Murphy said. He suggested that while every player theoretically has a price, Bayern's business model and sporting ambitions mean there is no realistic figure they would accept for Olise, describing the links as "ridiculous." Murphy instead suggested Liverpool might have more luck pursuing other Bayern attackers like Serge Gnabry.
For Liverpool, the pursuit of Olise underscores a clear strategic desire to eventually refresh an ageing forward line, with Salah's long-term future a constant topic of discussion. Yet, the public comments from Bayern's hierarchy and the player's current standing make a deal appear highly improbable this summer. The story highlights the growing market inflation for elite talent and the increasing reluctance of top clubs to sell their key assets, even for world-record fees.
