Claude Makelele has urged Real Madrid to make a move for Michael Olise, revealing that he recently personally advised Los Blancos president Florentino Perez to pursue the Bayern Munich winger in a private conversation.
The 24-year-old France international has been at the centre of fresh transfer speculation after reports on Thursday night claimed he had told team-mates at the World Cup that he is keen on joining the Spanish giants in what would be a major summer deal.
Makelele, a key figure in Real Madrid’s famed Galacticos era of the early 2000s, has now added further intrigue to the story by confirming he discussed the possibility of a Real Madrid bid for Olise directly with Perez.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, Olise has been seeking insight into life at the Bernabeu from fellow France internationals already connected to the club, including Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, during the tournament.
Olise only completed his £50million switch to Bayern Munich in 2024 and remains tied to the Bundesliga champions for another three years, meaning Real Madrid would likely need to pay a substantial transfer fee to tempt the German club into a sale.
France winger Michael Olise is being linked with a high-profile summer transfer to Real Madrid
Claude Makelele says he has recently encouraged Florentino Perez to bring Olise to Madrid
Olise was one of France’s standout performers on their run to the World Cup semi-finals, registering a tournament-leading five assists before Les Bleus were beaten 2-0 by Spain in the last four.
And in spite of Olise’s struggles against La Roja, which has in turn landed France a third-place play-off date with England on Saturday, Makelele has piled praise on the forward for his performances in North America.
Speaking to ComeOn, he added: ‘Olise gives me back the feeling of watching football, the taste of what we were as kids: talent, freedom, quality, efficiency.
‘When he’s not on the pitch, you feel his absence. When he is, you sense that at any moment, like Messi, he can produce something nobody saw coming.
‘Look at Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola: they know he can put a ball into a space other players don’t even see. That’s the modern football we love, the football that makes fans dream.
‘Even the broadcasters are amazed by his technique. He’s exceptional.’
It’s also been reported that Dayot Upamecano, who plays with Olise at both club and international level, has been pushing for the former Crystal Palace man to remain in Germany in an ‘intense lobbying effort’.
Olise recorded an impressive 16 goals and 27 assists in 39 league games for Bayern Munich last season
Olise has been the subject of intense transfer speculation after impressing for Bayern, recording 16 goals and 27 assists in 39 league games.
Reports in Germany earlier this year claimed Liverpool would launch an audacious £173m bid for the player amid their pursuit of a replacement for Mo Salah, but Bayern were adamant he would not be sold this summer.
Olise’s name was also mentioned in the Real Madrid presidential election, as it was suggested the club would table a £130m offer if Florentino Perez secured another term.
Perez did win the election, but there has not yet been any contact between the two clubs regarding a player whose price may have skyrocketed after his displays for France at the World Cup.
His performance in North America have the caught eye of former England captain Bryan Robson who hopes the star can one day return to the Premier League but this time at his beloved Manchester United.
‘How far can Michael Olise go in the game?’ he told Hajper. ‘He’ll always be a great club player because he’s so dangerous. He can score and create goals with both feet and has a big influence on whatever team he plays for, and he works hard for the team to get them playing forwards.
‘Olise is already a top player and I feel that he’s only going to improve so he could be the playmaker of the future for Manchester United but not for the next few years. I’d still want Bruno Fernandes in my team.’
