Real Madrid’s “Operation Olise” Hinges on Potential Valverde or Tchouaméni Sale

“We will submit a €150 million offer for a player from a Champions League team.” With these words, Florentino Pérez dropped a bombshell during his election campaign on Iker Jiménez’s show “Horizonte.” The journalist directly inquired about Bayern Munich player Michael Olise, but the then-candidate denied it. Ultimately, the offer was directed at Atlético Madrid for Julián Álvarez, and the “Rojiblancos” responded with mockery on social media.

However, sometimes things are not as they seem. As of today, it appears evident that the offer for Álvarez was a bluff. The goal was more likely to complicate the Argentine’s potential move to Barcelona (given Florentino’s combative stance on the “Negreira case”) rather than genuine interest, according to “Marca.”

In fact, all signs point to Olise – the season’s big sensation in the Champions League and part of Bayern’s formidable attacking trio (alongside Harry Kane and Luis Díaz). He possesses several qualities that make him the ideal signing for Real Madrid: excellent chemistry with Mbappé (as seen in France’s first goal against Senegal), a right-wing position (which is problematic for Madrid), and the charisma and athletic potential to counter the “Lamine effect” – Barcelona’s trump card that has snatched the last two titles from Real.

The task, however, will not be easy. Bayern is not a selling club; quite the opposite. “If Florentino Pérez wants to send us an offer, which hasn’t happened yet, he can save himself the trouble,” stated Herbert Hainer, the German club’s president, after Olise’s name emerged as an option for Real. The “White Ballet” still has that €150 million, but it seems clear that acquiring Olise from the Allianz Arena will cost more. Real Madrid is even prepared to raise their offer above €200 million, with a ceiling around €220 million.

Despite Real’s stable financial situation, money is not infinite. For this reason, a significant sale in the midfield for next season is not out of the question. The defense is already being restructured (Carvajal and Alaba have departed), and the attack is considered untouchable, with the club believing that Mbappé, Vinicius, and Bellingham should remain the offensive leaders. Thus, attention turns to players like Federico Valverde or Aurélien Tchouaméni, who came under the spotlight after their altercation at the Valdebebas training ground.

Will an offer of over €200 million be enough? In football, it’s clear that players play where they want. And Olise has a strong supporter at Real Madrid, and not just anyone. After becoming France’s all-time leading scorer, Kylian Mbappé didn’t hold back his praise for his teammate. “With Michael, it’s super easy because he always plays with his head up. With him, you just have to offer him a solution, a passing lane, and he sees it. I knew it, and it was great,” commented the Real forward after the victory over Senegal, which was opened with a precise vertical pass from the Bayern player to him. A natural and effective connection that was missing at Real last season.

The operation to sign Olise, Florentino’s big dream, is independent of the one for Enzo Fernández, which the club views as lower-profile. The Argentine’s desire to move to Real is well-known, as are his problems at Chelsea last season, where he was even dropped from the squad after an overt flirtation with the “White Ballet.” In Madrid, they know this won’t be a cheap deal, but it will be easier than the one for Olise, which will face Bayern’s traditional pride. The Bavarians always make it as difficult as possible for their big stars to leave and can also compete with Real in offering attractive financial terms.

These are distinct but already initiated operations that should be the icing on the cake for Real’s ambitious project for the 26/27 season. With José Mourinho as coach, three confirmed transfers (Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, and Konaté) and a fourth on the way (Dumfries), at least two more players need to be brought in to build a squad capable of fighting for all trophies.