The Bayern Insider: Munich respond to Liverpool mega bid for Michael Olise amid Cody Gakpo swap truth | OneFootball

Welcome to today’s exclusive & comprehensive round-up of all things Bayern Munich from Bayern insider Christian Falk. Featuring updates on Michael Olise, Yan Diomande, Cody Gakpo and Luka Vušković.

Today’s top stories

Serge Gnabry is having his best season at Bayern Munich at the moment. I think it’s because of Vincent Kompany, who’s given him a really good role in the team; he’s now playing more centrally and performing really well there. I’ve been with the German national team of late, and Serge Gnabry is back again, and it seems that he’s back involved with the starting XI. So, you see, if you’re doing well for Bayern Munich, you’re also, more or less, a guaranteed starter with the national team. Then there’s the No.2 in goal at Bayern Munich, Jonas Urbig, who’s also in the squad for Germany. Unfortunately, the shotstopper had to leave the national team after picking up a small injury. So, you see, Bayern Munich rules the national side!

As a side note, Bayern Munich are thinking of signing Oliver Baumann (35) as a No.2 behind Urbig, should Manuel Neuer call time on his Bayern career.

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Liverpool coming in hot for Michael Olise

In Germany, we’ve also heard about the rumours of Liverpool coming to the table with a €200m [£172.9m] bid for Michael Olise. I can tell you that I’ve talked with the bosses of Bayern Munich, I talked with Max Eberl, the head of sport, and he said: “No chance! Michael Olise is not for sale. He’s the future of Bayern Munich.” Even if there is an offer of €100m-200m [£86.4m-172.9m] on the table, Bayern won’t even discuss it. They want to give him a new contract. Eberl also reiterated that Olise doesn’t have a release clause. So, Bayern are in the driver’s seat.

Also, within the dressing room at Bayern Munich, it’s a big topic. Everyone is wondering what’s going to happen with Michael Olise when Liverpool and Real Madrid make their moves in the summer and say, “Hey, we want you.” The players don’t seem to think he’ll leave. We talked with Lennart Karl, and he was very much of the mind that Olise is very happy in Munich. He wants to do something big with this team and win titles. We also talked with the CEO of Bayern Munich, Jan-Christian Dreesen, and he said that there are clubs flirting with Olise. But he said that Bayern are guaranteeing the Frenchman titles, and this is more important for some players like Michael Olise, as he can win trophies instead of chasing the money.

Could Liverpool swap Cody Gakpo for Yan Diomande?

✅ It is TRUE: Liverpool are looking closely at Yan Diomande. I heard there’s always been Liverpool scouts in attendance at RB Leipzig’s recent matches in the stands. But also, there were scouts from PSG – so, be careful, Liverpool! The big advantage is that RB Leipzig would sell if an offer came in above the €100m mark. Bayern Munich are also keen on the 19-year-old, but this is too expensive for the Bavarians, so they won’t be involved in the poker. This is good news for the Premier League and PSG.

I heard the rumours of a potential swap deal being in the works for Cody Gakpo and Diomande. Liverpool need a replacement with Mo Salah set to leave this summer, and it’s going to be difficult for them to bring in Michael Olise. I know that because Bayern Munich have made that crystal clear. So that’s why it would be a good option to get Yan Diomande. However, the rumours of a swap deal hold no truth. I heard there was no offer from Liverpool, and also, Leipzig wouldn’t make this swap deal because Gakpo is too expensive. Not to mention that they have a completely different profile in mind; they’re searching for younger players who can develop at the club. So, they’re not interested in Cody Gakpo.

Bayern’s approach to the summer transfer window

✅ It is TRUE: Bayern will adopt a “wait-and-see” approach to the summer window. They’re doing so because they don’t want to spend much money. They’d be prepared to commit to less expensive goals early on, like signing Givairo Read from Feyenoord. There are also rumours about the right-back of Chelsea, Josh Acheampong – these are transfers within Bayern Munich’s range. They are still searching for a left-back, and there are rumours about left winger Bazoumana Touré of Hoffenheim. These are the things on the club’s radar at the moment. Nothing, I’m afraid, of the magnitude of the big signings we’ve seen in the past like Harry Kane (€100m) and Luis Diaz (€75m), or even Olise (who was very cheap at €55m).

Could Alphonso Davies sign for Liverpool?

It’s a very interesting rumour suggesting Alphonso Davies was offered to Liverpool by intermediaries. It’s true that there are thoughts within Bayern, as the Canadian has picked up yet another injury, that if a big offer is on the table, perhaps they would sell him. Before, it was clear that FC Bayern need this player; he’s one of the best in the team. Now, however, they’re thinking that they could perhaps replace him if there’s a lot of money on the table, because his salary is pretty high. His agent held difficult talks with the club when Alphonso was signing. He hasn’t done anything to dispel these rumours. He’s quiet on the situation. So, I have a growing suspicion with regard to this subject!

Bayern keeping an eye on Finn Jeltsch?

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern are keeping a watching brief on Finn Jeltsch. Bayern know the player, and everyone is watching him – including multiple scouts from the Premier League. He’s doing very well. He’s 19 years of age and has a German past, which is why he’s so interesting for the German national team as well. However, at the moment, there aren’t any direct offers for the defender. He’s a player for the future. But Bayern aren’t searching for a centre-back at the present time. He’s on a list, a long list, I would say, like some others, but nothing is concrete yet. He’s worth about €30m [£25.9m] in a potential sale. So this is a price that perhaps the Premier League will pay.

Bayern Munich coming back for Luka Vušković?

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern Munich are planning a secret raid for Luka Vušković. Bayern Munich will search for a centre-back only if Kim Min-jae is sold. There were talks with the agents who brought news from the player to Bayern. But I heard that Barcelona are concretely interested in the Tottenham loanee, so it could be too late for Bayern Munich if they are to wait for the player. We have to see what happens with Spurs this season – this is the main point. Let’s keep an eye on him, but I don’t see Vušković playing at Bayern next term.

Bayern to compete with PSG for Johan Manzambi?

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern Munich would be prepared to sign Johan Manzambi. FC Bayern aren’t searching for more midfielders. We’ve talked previously about Leon Goretzka, and there is fresh news here: AC Milan are making a concrete move. Massimiliano Allegri very much wants him! But there are also rumours that Arsenal are still keen on Goretzka, as well as Atletico Madrid. So, Bayern are going to lose a midfielder, but they’ve already got Tom Bischof in the squad, a young German player with a chance to play for the national side in the coming years. This is enough for Bayern Munich besides Aleksandar Pavlović, Joshua Kimmich, Konrad Laimer, and, of course, don’t forget they’ve brought back Noël Aséko, in addition to giving Santos Daiber a new contract. So, you can see Bayern are trying to get some more Lennart Karls and stack the squad with academy talents, which is why they don’t need Manzambi.

Kennet Eichhorn’s future in German football

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern Munich have pulled out of the race for Kennet Eichhorn. This is the only exception as far as midfielders are concerned. It’s true that FC Bayern are still interested in Eichhorn, however, it’s very difficult because there are other clubs around who can offer him more playing time. This includes Eintracht Frankfurt, who are still interested. We have to wait and see what the 16-year-old wants to do. If he stays at Hertha BSC, he can keep playing there despite being such a young talent. It would be a good thing for his development. Of course, when there are big players also at the table who are prepared to buy the midfielder, and he says he wants to make the next step, then Bayern would make the exception for him. They’re prepared to develop Kennet Eichhorn as a big talent for the future for both club and country.

Could Dortmund sign Fisnik Asllani?

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern have left the race for Fisnik Asllani. However, it is true that another club has a better chance of signing the Hoffenheim forward, and this is Borussia Dortmund. They’ve signed a new head of sport after firing Sebastian Kehl – now there’s Ole Book. He’s a new addition and will take charge of transfers at BVB, having previously impressed with German football climbers Elversberg. Dortmund could give Asllani playing time, as they’re thinking about selling Serhou Guirassy to AC Milan. So they can hand a place to Asllani, who has a release clause of around €30m-40m. This is an amount of money Bayern Munich wouldn’t be prepared to spend at the moment for what would effectively be a bench signing. So, he’s on the list, but not highly rated at the moment.