Bayern’s $57m gamble looks a steal after Bernabéu masterclass: Real Madrid take notice

“Doing that at the Bernabéu…!” Jamie Carragher said of Michael Olise in comments to CBS. “I’m seeing a new superstar in world soccer. His technical quality and vision are on another planet.” Boris Becker added on social media: “Bayern should tie him down to a very long-term extension immediately.” The French winger’s display against Madrid went global. At the same time, it casts a harsh light on the big clubs that passed on him, unlike Bayern.

A year and a half ago, the Bavarians paid €53 million ($57 million) to sign him from Crystal Palace. In hindsight, that looks like a bargain, especially now that he has just turned 24. It looks even more striking when compared with players in his tier. Take Mastantuono, for example, who Madrid signed for €60 million ($65 million).

Bayern’s move for Olise reflects poorly on Premier League clubs in particular. Despite his weekly performances for Palace, where he formed a thrilling attacking trio with Eze (now at Arsenal) and Mateta, none of England’s heavyweights made a decisive move for him.

Olise: born in England

Bayern, by contrast, saw in him a new Arjen Robben, a winger capable of driving European dominance. A season and a half in, he is already delivering on that promise. His rise has attracted attention from across Europe, including, according to reports, Real Madrid.

With the French national team, he has quickly become a key figure. At the World Cup, he is set to form a formidable front line alongside Dembélé and Mbappé. Elite company. Olise forced his way into the senior squad despite early doubts, largely because he is not fully fluent in French and does not have a strongly defined French cultural background.

The reason is simple: he was raised and developed in England, not France. Born in White City, west London, to an English father of Nigerian descent and a French mother of Algerian origin, he came through England’s youth system. He spent time in the academies of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City, but none put their faith in him to the level he needed.

England also failed to secure his international future, leading him to choose France through his mother’s nationality. He started at the under-18 level and progressed steadily to the senior team. His breakthrough came at Reading, a second-division club outside the elite circle. From there, Crystal Palace signed him, and he kicked the door down in the Premier League, catching the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Chess and Neymar

Olise is an unconventional player. “I like playing chess and I play regularly. In chess you have to plan your moves, calculate exactly which piece should be where and when. On the field, though, I often rely on my instincts and do what feels right,” he once explained.

A winger built on dribbling and deception, his idols shaped his style. “Neymar was my favorite player as a kid. I loved his flair and tricks. But you learn something from many players. That’s the only way to become complete,” he said.

Despite the relatively modest €53 million ($57 million) fee, Bayern faced less competition than expected to land him. A Galáctico at a cut-price fee. A player who exposed everyone at the Bernabéu. A star who was overlooked and who now has the tools to take Bayern to the top.

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