Real Madrid denies contact with Bayern star Olise
Real Madrid has vehemently denied suggestions that it has been in contact with Bayern Munich star Michael Olise over a prospective move to the Spanish capital.
Madrid has been busy in the transfer market after a second straight season without major silverware, signing Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate since last season's end.
It has also had an audacious bid for Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez knocked back, while Jose Mourinho has returned for a second stint as head coach, after winning three trophies with the club between 2010 and 2013.
There had been speculation that Madrid's next move could be for Olise, who was one of Europe's best performers as Bayern won a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2025-2026 and the former Crystal Palace man was named the best player in Germany's top flight.
Olise ended the Bundesliga season with 34 goal involvements – 15 goals and 19 assists – a new record for a winger since data collection began in the German top flight in 2004-2005.
Only team-mate Harry Kane directly contributed to more Bundesliga goals than Olise, who also scored five goals and provided seven assists in 13 UEFA Champions League games.
Madrid president Florentino Perez pledged to spend $US150 million ($A213.8 million) on a 'Galactico' player prior to winning Madrid's presidential election earlier this month, but the club has denied making any move for Olise.
A statement issued by Madrid read: "In light of the information published in various media outlets regarding an alleged interest of our club in Bayern Munich player Michael Olise, Real Madrid wishes to clarify it has not had any direct or indirect contact with the aforementioned footballer, his representatives, or individuals in his circle.
"Real Madrid also wishes to highlight the excellent institutional relationship it maintains with Bayern Munich, with whom it shares a long history of mutual respect, collaboration, and admiration, and regrets the dissemination of speculation that does not match reality.
"Both clubs have always maintained a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, which is reflected, among other aspects, in the shared conviction that any potential interest in a player belonging to the other club must be addressed first between the entities themselves."
Olise provided an excellent assist for Kylian Mbappe as France opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal last weekd, and he is in line to start again when Les Bleus face Iraq in their second match.
