Liverpool Edge Closer to Olise Deal as Monstrous £174m Package Takes Shape

The Merseysiders are plotting an ambitious summer swoop for Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, with reports from Spain suggesting they have taken significant strides towards landing the France international as Mohamed Salah's replacement.

Salah's future at Anfield has become increasingly uncertain following a turbulent season. Following the 3-3 draw with Leeds United in December, the 33-year-old Egyptian star publicly criticised Liverpool for making him a scapegoat and revealed a fractured relationship with manager Arne Slot. The row proved serious enough for the board and Slot to jointly decide on his omission from the squad to face Inter Milan, though peace talks subsequently saw him recalled for a 2-0 victory over Brighton nine days later.

Despite the Kop's warm reception after that Brighton win, speculation continues to mount that Salah's Liverpool chapter is nearing its conclusion. December reports suggested he and Slot have agreed to park their differences until the campaign's end, with a Saudi Pro League switch to Al-Ittihad anticipated come summer.

Enter Olise. The Bayern Munich flier has long been tracked by Liverpool, with journalist David Lynch confirming in late February that the 23-year-old features prominently on their radar. "He's a very, very good player who Liverpool have watched for a long, long time, even pre-Palace," Lynch told Anfield Index, adding that a potential return to English football would be "an interesting one if he's on the market."

Fabrizio Romano subsequently corroborated Liverpool's admiration, though he cautioned against premature optimism. "He's one of the best players in the world," Romano noted, whilst acknowledging that Olise lacks a release clause and Bayern are determined to keep him.

The latest Spanish reports, however, paint a more bullish picture. Liverpool are readying what amounts to a club-record package, with an offer hovering around €200m—approximately £174m—needed to prise Olise away from Bavaria. Crucially, Fenway Sports Group appear willing to smash their transfer record, and Liverpool have already made headway in convincing the player's representatives of the move's merits.

Olise himself is said to be receptive to the proposition, viewing a switch to the Premier League as an opportunity to assume a starring role. Bayern, naturally, will not surrender their prized asset without a fight.

Former Borussia Mönchengladbach and Germany defender Christoph Kramer has offered a glowing endorsement of Olise's abilities. "The price-performance ratio of what this player gives a team is unbelievable," Kramer explained. "He does everything right. He knows where the ball belongs. Even when pressed high with his back to goal—something wingers typically struggle with—he finds a way through."