'A big problem': Liverpool CAN capitalise on Michael Olise contract talks | OneFootball

Liverpool are going to need to sign a new winger in the next nine months.

The depth behind Cody Gakpo at left-wing is limited because teenager Rio Ngumoha is still at the precipice of his career, developing his game to competing at the senior level. Physically, he's not there yet and Liverpool are taking a risk by involving the 17-year-old in their first-team activities.

Meanwhile, over on the right-wing, Mohamed Salah is only getting older, and he's only contracted until 2027. A long-term replacement will need to come in eventually, and Federico Chiesa is unlikely to be considered a viable candidate for that position. He's a player very much on the periphery.

As such, it's clear where Liverpool need to go in the transfer market moving forward, and the task of identifying targets is already well underway, with a star at Bayern Munich currently top of the list.

Given how talented the player is, the Germans are actively against selling him, but there is a potential avenue that Liverpool could go down to somewhat unsettle him and let him know that club is lurking.

Bayern's conundrum in Olise contract talks

According to an update from Christian Falk at CF Bayern, the Germans have a big decision to make as Michael Olise is contracted until 2029, but the 23-year-old is highly regarded around the world.

In the latest report, he said: "He [Olise] has a contract which is long enough that they don't have to sell next summer - and they won't sell.

"[However], the big problem for Bayern Munich is that they want to give him a new contract, which is dangerous if Liverpool and Man City are there, and everyone's interested in this top player.

"He's currently on €14m a year (with add-ons), so there's a bit of space to give him more. Bayern Munich want to get him on a new contract as soon as possible. But with the contract ending in 2029, there have to see if they can keep Michael Olise until them, as interested clubs will pay a big transfer fee for this kind of player."

As such, the risk of losing out on a huge transfer fee needs to be weighed up. Liverpool have proven beyond all doubt that they'll go all in on a player they feel is worth it and Olise could be the next one.

Replacing someone of Salah's stature is difficult; the Reds will need to be confident in their chosen candidate, because the team will lose a lot of consistent goal returns when the Egyptian retires.

Olise has Premier League experience from the three seasons he spent at Crystal Palace, and since he made the step to Bayern, he's only gone up a level - proving his quality in the Champions League, the Bundesliga and for his country now that Didier Deschamps has him in contention at France.

For a player of that quality, with the experiences that he's had at such a young age, a high transfer fee is inevitable and the player might be tempted to move once he gets to a couple of years left on his deal. Negotiations for a new contract would likely need to start by at least 2027 at the latest.

In real terms, that's at the end of next season, when the Reds are expected to lose Salah on a free.

As such, the 'big problem' is very real for Bayern. For Liverpool, it's a way in to potentially signing their ideal replacement for the Premier League's best winger. It's going to be a battle for the ages.