Liverpool targets Olise to replace Salah, spends 200 million euros
According to Fichajes, Liverpool are preparing to spend up to 200 million euros to recruit Michael Olise from Bayern Munich, in the context of Salah's decline, receiving a salary offer of 150 million pounds/year and possibly leaving next summer.
Liverpool are reportedly ready to make a “historic move” to sign Michael Olise from Bayern Munich for a fee that could reach €200 million, according to Fichajes. The move is seen as a preparation for the prospect of Mohamed Salah leaving, with the Egyptian star struggling and constantly being lured by Saudi Pro League teams with huge financial offers.
Why Liverpool must act now
The warning signs are coming in droves. Liverpool lost 3-0 to Man City, and according to sources, the reigning Premier League champions are currently eighth, having lost five games this season, more than they lost last season. In that picture, Salah – a long-time striker – has also been sub-par, with five goals in 16 games in all competitions.
Salah's appeal in the Middle East remains huge, with Saudi Pro League clubs reportedly willing to pay him up to £150m a year to sign him. Salah's contract with Liverpool runs until 2027, but the possibility of leaving Anfield next summer is not far-fetched.
Olise – the number one target and the size of the deal
According to Fichajes, Liverpool have made Michael Olise – an attacker from Bayern Munich – their top priority to replace Salah. Bayern Munich do not want to part with Olise, but the board of directors will only consider it if they receive a really big offer.
Fichajes said Liverpool were prepared to pay up to €200m for Olise, a figure that would set a new record in English football transfer history. In addition to the fee, Liverpool are said to have been working for weeks on Olise's wage structure and role in their rebuilding process.
The prospect of no Salah is becoming clearer
The source described Salah’s departure as “increasingly inevitable”. From a market perspective, Wyness – the former head of recruitment at Manchester United – believes Salah will soon move to Saudi Arabia. According to him, Salah is the leading commercial figure in the Middle East, has a huge influence and can bring value beyond the pitch to the league, similar to the trajectory of stars who have gone before.
Strategic questions for Liverpool
If the Olise deal goes through at €200m as Fichajes has suggested, the scale of the investment will have a major impact on the rebuilding process. Given the current form and the pressure on the rankings, identifying Salah's replacement early is the way to go to maintain stability in the attack. However, Bayern Munich do not want to sell, so convincing him with a "huge" offer is a prerequisite, according to the source.
On the other hand, Salah's offer from Saudi Pro League teams with a salary of 150 million pounds per year poses a problem for both personnel and finances. The possibility of leaving next summer forces Liverpool to prepare from now to avoid breaking down the attack.
Key figures and developments
- Recent notable scores: Liverpool lost 0-3 to Man City.
- Position according to source: The reigning Premier League champions are eighth, having lost five games this season.
- Mohamed Salah form: 5 goals in 16 games in all competitions.
- Offer from Saudi Pro League: Salary could be up to £150m/year.
- Salah's contract with Liverpool: until 2027.
- Transfer target: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich).
- Fee according to Fichajes: Liverpool are willing to spend up to 200 million euros, which could set a British football transfer record.
The big picture
As Fichajes describes it, Liverpool have proactively drawn up a scenario for life without Salah: identifying Olise as a top target, calculating the salary structure and role in the new system, and accepting to enter into a deal of special scale to stabilize the attacking capacity in the long term.
