Liverpool are keen on landing Michael Olise as a long-term successor to Mohamed Salah, but Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the deal is viewed as “unrealistic” at the moment – leaving the Reds likely to pivot to a more affordable Premier League alternative.
The 24-year-old Frenchman has been in sensational form since joining Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024 for €60 million (£50m). His record in Bavaria now stands at an eye-watering 35 goals and 49 assists in just 92 appearances, cementing his status as one of the world’s top right-sided attackers.
Liverpool have shortlisted Olise as the ideal player to fill the void when Salah eventually moves on. Speaking on the Here We Go podcast, Romano admitted the club’s admiration but poured cold water on immediate hopes.
“Yeah, always many links about this one because, yes, it’s true that Liverpool appreciates Olise, but who doesn’t like Olise? I mean, he’s one of the best players in the world,” Romano said.
“He’s doing fantastic at Bayern, so obviously many links with Liverpool because Liverpool will add players on the winger position. So Liverpool will do something there. Could be one, could be two, we will see. But at the moment, Michael Olise is seen as an unrealistic target because he doesn’t have a release clause, and also because Bayern absolutely want to keep Olise.”
Bayern have no intention of selling and are preparing a lucrative new contract to ward off interest. Liverpool made an enquiry as recently as 3 March, only to be swiftly rebuffed. German outlet Bild has warned that tying down several key players at once could create a “dangerous” exit saga for the Bundesliga champions, but Olise remains firmly in their plans.
With a move for the £130m-rated star looking improbable, attention is turning to a far more realistic option: Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh.
The 21-year-old Gambian winger impressed Arne Slot during their time together at Feyenoord and has since shone in the Premier League. Empire of the Kop reports that a deal could be struck for around £60m (€69.5m / $80m) – significantly less than Olise’s current valuation and well below the £100m+ figure Brighton have previously floated.
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has been vocal in his support for pursuing Olise, calling him the “perfect” replacement for Salah.
“Mohamed Salah has struggled since the Christmas before last. He struggled to score goals from open play, and that hasn’t changed; it won’t change,” Hamann said recently.
“For Liverpool, Michael Olise would be the perfect fit because he plays on the right-hand side, comes inside. He’s been brilliant since he came to Bayern Munich… I probably couldn’t think of a more perfect replacement for Salah than him.”
However, Hamann acknowledged the practical difficulties: “Bayern Munich will be reluctant to let him go because I don’t think he’s got a clause in his contract. He seems to be pretty settled and happy here.”
With Olise’s price tag and Bayern’s stance making the deal extremely tough, Liverpool are expected to focus their summer business on more attainable targets. Minteh is now firmly on the radar, and his chances of a move to Anfield would rise significantly should Arne Slot remain in charge.
Other names such as Yan Diomande have also been mentioned, but the gap in quality between Olise – widely regarded as world-class – and the alternatives is clear.
Liverpool will have to decide whether to chase the dream signing or secure a high-upside, cost-effective Premier League-proven winger instead. According to Romano and the latest reports, the £60m route currently looks the far more probable path.