Michael Olise: The Battle for Liverpool’s Future
Liverpool find themselves at a crossroads, staring at the one question every great club eventually faces: who follows Mohamed Salah?
For more than eight years, the Egyptian king has carried the weight of Anfield, rewriting record books and defining an era. But as Salah approaches his 34th birthday, the reality can no longer be ignored. Time will demand a successor. And one name has risen above the rest: Michael Olise.
The French winger has exploded at Bayern Munich, delivering 20 goals and 23 assists in his first full season — numbers that scream world-class. His flair, vision, and elegance on the ball feel tailor-made for Liverpool’s traditions, and fans see him as the natural heir to Salah’s throne. But just as the dream begins to take shape, a familiar shadow emerges: Real Madrid.
According to Defensa Central, Kylian Mbappé has already whispered Olise’s name to Madrid’s hierarchy, pushing Juni Calafat and the recruitment team to track him closely. Mbappé even spoke directly to Olise during France camp, encouraging him to consider the Santiago Bernabéu. Whether casual or calculated, his words carry weight. When Mbappé suggests, Madrid listens.
For Liverpool, this is a nightmare they know too well. From Xabi Alonso to Michael Owen, from Champions League heartbreaks to transfer hijacks, Madrid have been a recurring villain in Anfield’s story. Losing Olise — the one player who seems capable of filling Salah’s void — would sting more than most.
Arne Slot’s rebuilding project has begun brightly, with smart signings like Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak. Yet even with fresh energy, Slot knows Salah’s eventual departure will leave a hole no tactical tweak can disguise. That is why Liverpool’s focus on Olise feels urgent, almost desperate.
Money complicates the picture. Bayern paid under £50m to sign him from Crystal Palace, but his value has already soared towards £100m. Liverpool will need to decide if they are willing to break the bank, while Madrid — historically unafraid of blockbuster fees — can match Bayern’s demands without hesitation.
And yet, Madrid’s need for Olise is far less pressing. With Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Mbappé already locked in, their wings are stacked. Liverpool, by contrast, can offer Olise the chance to be the man — to inherit Salah’s role, to carry the Kop’s roar, to build a legacy rather than share the limelight.
That could be Liverpool’s ace. Glory in Madrid is guaranteed, but immortality at Anfield is on the table.
Still, whispers of Mbappé’s influence unsettle Liverpool supporters. Dreams of Olise in red are already colliding with fears of him in white. This battle, they know, is bigger than one transfer. It’s about the future. Salah and Van Dijk will not last forever. The torch must be passed, and the club cannot afford another missed opportunity.
So the stage is set: Liverpool, desperate to safeguard their legacy. Madrid, powerful and persuasive. Olise, brilliant and at the centre of it all.
For Liverpool, the mission is simple — act fast, act bold, and make sure the next star to light up Anfield does not slip away to the Bernabéu. Because when Salah’s curtain finally falls, the Kop will demand a new hero. And if Olise is wearing white instead of red, the heartbreak will echo for years.
