Liverpool’s £123m deal for Bradley Barcola could complicate their hopes of signing Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen rejected the chance to guarantee Olise will be at the club beyond next summer, saying: “Making promises in this business is a tricky matter. Whether we can keep him permanently is something we will discuss again in the summer.”
Following that, Christian Falk reported that Liverpool could become the major beneficiaries of Bayern adding a release clause to Olise’s contract.
He said: “Liverpool’s interest in Michael Olise could become increasingly interesting. The Reds’ interest in the French winger is well documented, and Bayern Munich could include a release clause if the 24-year-old signs a new contract.
“Olise’s current deal runs until 2029, but Bayern are reportedly concerned about entering 2027/28 with him still on his current terms.
“That could be significant for Liverpool, who have been linked with Olise as they continue to search for a long-term solution on the right wing.”
But Falk has now spoken again, saying that signing Bradley Barcola is a complication facing Liverpool in their hopes of signing Olise.
How Liverpool’s £123m deal to sign Bradley Barcola could prevent them from signing Michael Olise in another blockbuster transfer
The Reds struck an agreement with PSG for the transfer of Barcola, paying £106m upfront, with £17m in add-ons taking the overall potential value of the signing to £123m.
You’d think that the finances involved would be the reason signing Olise is not likely to happen, but it now appears as though Barcola would have been the player Bayern Munich would replace Olise with.
Falk reports that “Liverpool maintain long-standing interest in Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.”
While Bayern would like to keep Olise, they understand that there is a chance he could leave, and “previously viewed Barcola as their priority replacement if Olise departed.”
Now, the “Barcola Liverpool transfer leaves Bayern without an obvious replacement option.”
? Bradley Barcola arrival creates complications for Liverpool pursuit of Michael Olise ?
Details via @cfbayern ?:
• Liverpool maintain long-standing interest in Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise
• Bayern previously viewed Barcola as their priority replacement if Olise… pic.twitter.com/0UNIOvZyuU— Goaldata – Liverpool Zone (@LiverpoolZNE) September 6, 2026
There is an obvious solution to this problem: Gakpo to Bayern, Olise to Liverpool
Before Bayern Munich signed Luis Diaz for £65.5m, the Bavarians explored the possibility of signing Gakpo.
Speaking about it in September 2025, Gakpo told ESPN: “From what I understand, they [Bayern] did come [to open talks about a transfer], but they ended up buying Luis Diaz.”
If Liverpool still want to sell Gakpo next summer, with his contract up in 2030, they could facilitate a deal with Bayern to send Gakpo to Munich and bring Olise to Merseyside. This would depend on whether or not Gakpo wants to go, because his form this season deserves the right to choose where his future lies.
It would hypothetically be a player-plus-cash deal that solves the need for a new attacker and answers the big Mohamed Salah heir question the Reds are yet to solve.
