Michael Olise is currently making waves during his first World Cup appearance with the French national team. The 24-year-old winger has become one of the most talked-about talents on the planet, both for his performances with France and his impact at Bayern Munich. Although he is tied to the German giants until June 2029, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is reportedly undeterred and is weighing up a monumental transfer operation.

The World Cup has been in full swing for ten days, providing a global stage for the 48 competing nations. Following a convincing 3-1 victory over Sénégal at MetLife Stadium last Tuesday, France aims to continue its winning streak this Monday evening at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Bleus are set to face Iraq, and Didier Deschamps is expected to once again name Michael Olise in his starting eleven.

A staggering valuation of 222 million euros for the French star

Michael Olise has been in sensational form, providing a key assist for Kylian Mbappé against the Lions of the Teranga. This followed a remarkable hat-trick in a pre-tournament preparation match against Northern Ireland. Such displays have intensified interest from Real Madrid, a club that has had him on their radar for some time. While Bayern Munich remains publicly and privately adamant that the player is not for sale, the Madrilenian board continues to view the winger as a top priority for a record-breaking deal.

To pry Olise away from Bavaria, Real Madrid understands that the price tag will be astronomical, likely reaching at least 222 million euros. This figure mirrors the historic fee paid for Neymar during his move from Barcelona to Paris in 2017, highlighting the level of investment Florentino Pérez is willing to consider for the French international.

The next ‘Galactico’ on the horizon for Florentino Pérez

The vision at the Bernabéu is clear: Michael Olise is seen as the next great “Galactico.” Florentino Pérez is known for his persistence when targeting world-class talent, even if negotiations prove to be lengthy. Much like the pursuit of Kylian Mbappé, which took years to finalize, the club is prepared to be patient to land their man.

As the World Cup progresses, the focus remains on Olise’s contributions on the pitch. However, with the summer transfer window remaining open until September 1, the speculation surrounding this potential blockbuster move is only expected to grow. Whether Real Madrid can successfully navigate a deal for the Bayern Munich star remains one of the most anticipated storylines in African current affairs and global football governance.

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst