Real Madrid president elect Florentino Perez has vowed to shatter the club's transfer record with a £130m bid for an unnamed elite player – and France boss Didier Deschamps has stoked the mystery by claiming Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise faces 'no right or wrong choice' amid speculation.
Perez, speaking on Spanish TV show Horizonte, revealed he plans to make an offer to a major Champions League club 'on Tuesday or so' for a player from midfield who can go forward. 'It would be the largest transfer fee Real Madrid has ever paid in its history,' he said, adding that the bid would be 'at least around 150m'. He ruled out Olise, saying: 'Olise is a great player but it's not Olise. It's not Doku either. And it's not Haaland.' The target is not from the Premier League.
“Didier Deschamps says there is 'no right or wrong choice' for Michael Olise as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez promises a record £130m bid.”
But Olise's international manager has already weighed in. Deschamps, speaking to Marca, said of the 22-goal winger: 'He will know very well whether he stays at Bayern Munich or whether he needs a change of scenery. There is no right or wrong choice.' The France boss added: 'Obviously, if I put myself in (Vincent) Kompany's or the Bayern president's shoes, having him on their team and having him stay at Bayern would be something very, very good. I imagine he may also receive offers from other clubs. I am not worried by the fact that what he does with Bayern or what he does with the French national team could also be reproduced at other clubs.'
Olise has been a standout for Bayern since his move from Crystal Palace, scoring 22 times in his second season as part of a formidable attack alongside Harry Kane and Luis Diaz. He arrives at the World Cup in tremendous form, having helped Bayern dominate domestically despite a Champions League semi-final loss to PSG.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are desperate to end a second successive trophyless season. Perez, who was cryptic about the target, said his signing is 'meant to generate excitement because that's what it's all about, generating excitement'. Bayern will have no desire to sell one of their prized assets, but Olise's future remains uncertain as the rumour mill goes into overdrive.