Liverpool Explore Michael Olise Move as Iraola Faces a Tactical Dilemma

Liverpool are reportedly considering a long-term move for Michael Olise in the upcoming summer transfer window.

A reputable source on X, formerly Twitter, has claimed that the winger is “very keen” on a potential switch.

Liverpool’s interest in the France international has been longstanding, with the club still arguably in need of an elite right-sided wide player.

The failure to sign Yan Diomande, who subsequently moved from Leipzig to Real Madrid, could also be influencing Andoni Iraola’s side to explore the Olise route.

Why Michael Olise Appeals to Liverpool

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If Olise became available, Liverpool would move quickly, provided the fee and terms were acceptable.

The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the most accomplished senior attackers on the right in world football, recording 60 goal contributions in 59 appearances across all competitions since the start of the 2025/26 season.

Although Iraola is comfortable rotating his forwards and encouraging naturally left-sided wingers to contribute from both flanks, Liverpool still lack a specialist right-sided option. That gap helps explain the club’s interest in Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh and other targets over the summer.

Adding Olise would also offer an immediate upgrade, combining elite attacking quality with the rare advantage of extensive Premier League experience.

In theory, it would appear to be an obvious move if Bayern Munich were willing to sell. However, his evolving role at the German club may complicate the situation.

Could Olise’s Central Role at Bayern Create a Problem?

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Christian Falk raised a potentially significant concern in his latest Bayern Insider column: “Musiala has a long contract and don’t forget that Vincent Kompany is trying a new system with Michael Olise as the fulcrum in the centre – the same position he currently plays in for the French national team. So, FC Bayern have a lot of options. Don’t forget, either, that it was a lot of money Liverpool paid for Wirtz.”

The Bayern Munich specialist was responding to reports linking the club with Florian Wirtz and suggesting that a swap involving Olise was possible.

From Liverpool’s perspective, however, the Frenchman would be viewed as an addition rather than a replacement for the German international.

Yet if Olise continues to occupy central areas for both club and country, that could present a recruiting challenge. If Liverpool are planning around Wirtz long term, adding Olise as another central attacker could create competition for the same space behind the striker.

A right winger should not be restricted to the touchline for an entire match, and there will still be occasions when he needs to invert. Liverpool’s current system is primarily designed to generate goals for the central striker, however, so overlapping with the position expected by Wirtz may not be ideal.

Liverpool could theoretically adopt elements of Vincent Kompany’s approach in Munich, using rotational movement to place both the No. 10 and Olise behind the striker and create central overloads. A dynamic right-back could then advance into the vacated channel. Alternatively, Wirtz could be asked to occupy the space left by the right winger, although that would be an unconventional role for the former Leverkusen attacker.

Liverpool would not necessarily rule out signing Olise on that basis, but it would leave Iraola with a clear tactical dilemma.

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