Liverpool could reportedly make a shock move for Harry Kane's Bayern team-mate as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah. At 33, the Egyptian king still reigns supreme at Anfield, smashing in 34 goals last season, firing the club to their historic 20th league title, and becoming the only player in history to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award three times. But time waits for no man.
The Anfield hierarchy have been crystal clear in their summer business: building for the next era. With Alexander Isak (25), Florian Wirtz (22), and Hugo Ekitike (23) all added to the attacking ranks, the message is obvious: the future must be young, hungry, and dynamic. Now, The Daily Mailclaims the Reds are targeting Michael Olise, the dazzling French winger who only joined Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace in July 2024 for £45 million ($61m).
Liverpool believe they have an ace in the hole: their strong, long-standing relationship with the German giants. The two clubs have conducted several major deals over the past decade. Pepe Reina, Sadio Mane, and Luis Diaz have all swapped Anfield for Bavaria, while Liverpool have brought in Thiago Alcantara and Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern in return. Go back even further, and you find names like Markus Babbel and Alou Diarra making similar switches.
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Olise’s journey to the top has been rapid. After bursting onto the scene with Reading, he made his name in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, where he racked up 16 goals and 25 assists in just three seasons. When Bayern swooped last summer, beating off interest from the likes of Manchester United, eyebrows were raised. But the Frenchman has embraced the challenge, adapting seamlessly to the Bundesliga.
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WHAT NEXT?
For now, Salah remains untouchable. The Egyptian continues to raise the bar year after year, and with his extraordinary numbers, there is no immediate pressure to replace him. But succession planning is about foresight, not reaction. The Reds are determined to avoid being caught off guard when their talisman eventually slows down. Olise’s age profile and technical qualities suggest he could be the perfect continuity candidate, ensuring Liverpool’s right flank remains a place of fear for opposition defenders.