Liverpool face Barcelona competition for attacking star | OneFootball

Olise’s Rising Stock Puts Salah Successor Question in Focus

Bayern breakthrough sparks European attention

Michael Olise’s trajectory has been one of the most compelling stories in recent European football. From Reading to Crystal Palace and now Bayern Munich, the French winger has consistently found ways to elevate his game. Palace, who invested just £8 million in 2021, saw a huge return when Bayern paid £50 million to secure his services last summer.

Since arriving in Bavaria, Olise has quickly become a central figure. His influence helped Bayern to yet another Bundesliga title and the German Super Cup, while his sharp start to the current season – four goals in four games – has only reinforced his reputation as one of the most dangerous wide players in Europe.

Such form has not gone unnoticed. According to several reports, both Barcelona and Liverpool are closely monitoring developments, while Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain remain attentive to any potential shift in his availability.

Liverpool’s search for a Salah successor

Liverpool’s admiration for Olise stretches back several years. With Mohamed Salah still delivering decisive moments but now at 33, conversations around long-term succession planning at Anfield have grown louder. Olise’s Premier League background, coupled with his development at Bayern, makes him an obvious candidate.

There is a recognition within Liverpool that Salah’s current contract is likely to be his last in England. Recruitment teams are therefore tasked with identifying a player capable of assuming responsibility on the right flank. Olise’s profile – skilful, incisive, and proven in top-level competition – fits that requirement almost perfectly.

Transfer experts have repeatedly underlined Liverpool’s interest, stressing that Olise is firmly on their radar. However, Bayern’s valuation is significant, with suggestions any deal would exceed £100 million. That level of investment may prove daunting but is unlikely to deter clubs of Liverpool’s stature should they decide to act.

Barcelona’s admiration complicates the picture

Barcelona’s sporting hierarchy is equally enchanted. Sporting director Deco has been described as a long-term admirer of Olise, viewing him as a potential star around whom future projects could be built. His versatility and creativity are traits that resonate with the Catalan club’s philosophy.

Yet, questions remain about squad balance. With Lamine Yamal emerging as one of the brightest young prospects in world football, any move for Olise would raise tactical dilemmas. Deploying both players, who favour similar positions, would require adjustments from coach Hansi Flick.

Nonetheless, Barca’s financial situation continues to dictate their transfer activity. While the admiration is genuine, whether they can compete with the resources of Premier League clubs remains uncertain.

Bayern’s stance on keeping Olise

Bayern are fully aware of Olise’s rising stock and intend to act decisively to keep him. Reports suggest they are preparing a substantial pay rise, potentially pushing his wages beyond £200,000 per week, to ensure he commits to a long-term future in Germany.

The club recognises that Olise has become pivotal not only for their current campaigns but also for their future identity. Bayern’s leadership believes that allowing a player of his calibre to leave so soon after arrival would send the wrong message.

Adding intrigue is the existence of a contractual clause permitting discussions with English clubs from summer 2026. The precise details remain unclear, though it is thought to give Premier League sides a potential advantage should negotiations eventually materialise.

For now, Bayern appear determined to retain their man. But as Salah edges closer to the twilight of his Liverpool career and Barcelona weigh their options, the battle for Olise promises to intensify in the seasons ahead.

Michael Olise’s statistical profile over the past 12 months underlines why he is viewed as one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers. The radar chart, comparing him to attacking midfielders and wingers across the top leagues, shows elite numbers in almost every possession and attacking metric.

The standout areas are creativity and attacking contribution. Olise ranks in the 98th percentile for expected assisted goals (xAG), shot-creating actions, assists, and combined non-penalty expected goals plus expected assisted goals (npxG + xAG). In simple terms, he is among the very best in Europe when it comes to fashioning and finishing chances. His actual non-penalty expected goals (92nd percentile) and non-penalty goals (93rd) confirm that he is not just creating, but also consistently converting opportunities.

Possession metrics also highlight his influence. He sits in the 98th percentile for touches and passes attempted, underlining just how heavily involved he is in build-up play. His progressive contribution is particularly striking – 96th percentile for progressive passes, 94th for successful take-ons, and 98th for progressive passes received. This paints a picture of a player who is constantly advancing the ball, breaking lines, and destabilising defensive structures. His pass completion, though slightly lower at 79, suggests a willingness to take risks in the final third – often a trade-off for high-impact creativity.

Defensively, the radar illustrates a clear drop-off. Percentiles in tackles and interceptions (49), aerial duels (42), and percentage of dribblers tackled (68) are significantly below his attacking and possession figures. While he shows some competence in blocks (66) and clearances (93), Olise is not a winger whose primary strengths lie in defensive contribution. This is not unusual for elite attacking players, but it does emphasise the need for tactical balance within his team.

Overall, Olise’s data reflects a winger operating at the very top level in terms of chance creation, ball progression, and attacking output. His attacking percentile ranks are not only consistent but also clustered around the highest possible values, which is rare for a player still in his early twenties. The statistics justify why clubs such as Liverpool and Barcelona view him as a potential cornerstone for the future – especially for Liverpool, as they prepare for life after Mohamed Salah.

This chart makes it clear: Michael Olise is already an elite-level attacker, and his ceiling remains even higher.