Michael Olise: Lothar Matthaus predicts Bayern Munich will resist Real Madrid interest

Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus believes Michael Olise will stay at the German champions despite mounting speculation over a potential move to Real Madrid, insisting the club are still building a side to challenge for major honours and will not willingly lose one of their standout players.

The former Germany captain told Sky that Bayern are moving decisively in the transfer market and remain focused on strengthening rather than selling.

“The club wants to be successful and has already made two excellent signings, and I am convinced that its plans are not finished yet,” Matthaus said, arguing that the Bavarian side’s current strategy makes a high‐profile departure for Olise unlikely.

Tactical role under scrutiny

Matthaus also assessed Olise’s role on the pitch, highlighting how the France international has been used differently for club and country.

According to German outlet Bild, the 22‐year‐old featured for France as a playmaker in the No.10 position during the 2026 World Cup, a role that comes with intense competition at Bayern.

“Olise played in the No.10 position with the French national team, but Bayern already have two or three players in this role,” Matthaus explained. “He can also play as a striker if necessary, and he has done that with Bayern.”

However, the World Cup‐winning midfielder believes Olise is at his most dangerous when operating in his preferred wide role rather than centrally.

“I think he feels more comfortable in his real position on the right wing, and there he has produced better performances with Bayern compared to what he showed as a striker with France during the World Cup,” Matthaus added.

Real Madrid links emerge

Matthaus’s comments come amid reports in the French media that Olise expressed a desire during the World Cup to join Real Madrid.

Those reports claim the winger sounded out several Real Madrid players about life at the Spanish giants, including France teammates Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, asking about the atmosphere and environment inside the dressing room.

The speculation has intensified as Madrid continue to be linked with attacking reinforcements to complement their existing forward line following Mbappe’s arrival.

Bayern determined to keep key asset

Despite the noise around a possible transfer, Bayern are understood to be firm in their stance that Olise is not for sale.

The former Crystal Palace forward is under contract in Munich until the summer of 2029, and club insiders reportedly see him as one of the cornerstones of their long‐term project over the coming seasons.

Bayern’s hierarchy are said to view Olise as central to a rejuvenated attacking unit, particularly in his favoured right‐wing position, where his creativity and goal threat have already made him a crowd favourite.

With Matthaus publicly backing the club’s broader recruitment strategy and emphasising Olise’s importance on the pitch, Bayern appear determined to shut down any prospect of a move to the Bernabeu – at least for now.

While Real Madrid’s interest and Olise’s reported curiosity about a transfer ensure the story is unlikely to disappear quickly, the balance of power currently lies with Bayern, who see the Frenchman as indispensable to their ambitions at home and in Europe.