Michael Olise’s impressive performances for Bayern are attracting significant interest. However, an early departure from Munich is unlikely, not least for historical reasons.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a member of Bayern Munich’s supervisory board, has firmly closed the door on any premature exit for Michael Olise. The 70-year-old cited a fundamental decision made by the German record champions back in 2009 as the reason.
Speaking to t-online.de, Rummenigge praised Olise, whom FCB signed from Crystal Palace in 2024 and who has since been delivering outstanding performances. «He is a wonderful player. I also like the fact that he is so reserved and almost media-shy. That’s an exception in today’s world.»
Rummenigge elaborated: «He is a good guy, and on the pitch, he is naturally outstanding, the way he celebrates and almost conjures with the ball. So it doesn’t surprise me that he is so incredibly popular and hyped by our fans.»
However, it’s not just the fans; other top clubs in Europe are reportedly keen on the 24-year-old. In recent weeks and months, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and FC Liverpool have all been linked with Olise. As reported by Sport Bild in late March, Liverpool would even be prepared to offer €200 million for Olise.
‘There is no price tag for a player like Olise’
It seems other clubs will have to abandon these aspirations. Rummenigge clarified: «In 2009, we received an incredible offer from Chelsea for Franck Ribery. It would have been a new world transfer record at the time. I then went to our then-finance director Karl Hopfner and Uli Hoeneß. We discussed for two hours what we should do with that offer.»
Ultimately, FCB remained firm and rejected the offer. «On that day, we made a fundamental decision: that in the future, we would no longer sell a player whose absence we would feel sportingly,» Rummenigge explained, adding: «And this unwritten law still holds true today. There is no price tag for a player like Olise that would make us flinch.»
Bayern’s Fundamental Policy Wasn’t Always Applied
However, Bayern hasn’t always acted according to this principle. They once allowed midfield strategist Thiago Alcantara to move to FC Liverpool as per his wish, and striker Robert Lewandowski to FC Barcelona. Both departures would haunt the record champions for years. With some reservations, one could also mention Toni Kroos’s move to Real Madrid, although at that time he wasn’t yet the world-class player he became at the Royal club.
Olise, who moved to Munich from Crystal Palace in 2024 for a transfer fee of €53 million, has developed into one of the best players in the world at Bayern. Consequently, a potential loss of the French international would hit FCB hard.
Olise’s Departure? ‘We’re not wasting a thought on it’
Olise is under contract at Bayern until 2029. The German champions’ management is therefore deliberately calm about the future of one of their most important players.
«Whichever club might be trying to woo him: Those who play for FC Bayern know what FC Bayern means to them,» Bayern’s CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen emphasized to Sport Bild. Sporting director Max Eberl also stated regarding a potential Olise exit in the summer: «We’re not wasting a thought on it.»
In the Premier League, Olise played 82 times for Crystal Palace before the London-born player moved to Bayern. For FCB this season, the 24-year-old has already contributed significantly with 48 direct goal involvements (19 goals, 29 assists) in 46 appearances. Olise also shone in the two Champions League quarter-final clashes against Real Madrid.
Michael Olise: Performance Data at Bayern 2024/25
| Competitive Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | 19 | 29 |