Liverpool manager Arne Slot is a man on a mission and anyone who has been following the story of Anfield over the last year will understand that this rebuild is far from finished. The Dutchman came into the club with enormous shoes to fill after Jurgen Klopp’s legendary reign, but what he has done in such a short time has been nothing short of spectacular. Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions last season, finishing ten points clear at the top, yet Slot was never the type to sit back and celebrate. Instead, he looked at his squad with the eyes of a perfectionist and saw gaps that could be filled, weaknesses that could be corrected, and areas that could be improved. That mentality explains why Liverpool are now preparing to make another bold move in the transfer market, this time targeting Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, with whispers suggesting he could eventually become the long-term heir to Mohamed Salah.
This pursuit of Olise is not random, nor is it a panic buy. It is part of a carefully thought-out strategy to ensure Liverpool stay at the very top of English and European football. Slot and the recruitment team have already shown that they are not afraid to spend big, smashing records with a £440m outlay on fresh talent in the last window alone. That rebuild brought in defenders, midfielders, and forwards, each chosen to not just fill a squad number but to carry Liverpool into a new era. Despite that massive spending, Liverpool recouped a large chunk of their money through player sales and clever financial management, proving that their rebuild was not reckless but calculated. Yet the one area that still needs addressing is the attack, particularly the looming question of what comes after Salah.
Mohamed Salah is, without doubt, one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players. The Egyptian has been at Anfield since 2017, breaking records season after season, lifting every major trophy, and building a legacy that will live forever in the history of the club. But as great as Salah is, he cannot play forever. He is now in his thirties, and while his standards remain sky-high, the smart move is to prepare for the future. That is why the link to Michael Olise makes perfect sense. The young French winger, currently with Bayern Munich, has the profile, the skillset, and the age to grow into the role that Salah has defined.
Olise’s story is an intriguing one. Born in London, he came through the ranks at Chelsea before moving to Reading, where his technical ability, dribbling, and flair quickly set him apart. His performances earned him a move to Crystal Palace, where he lit up the Premier League with moments of magic, scoring goals, creating chances, and tormenting defenders. It was at Palace that the wider footballing world began to take real notice of him. His release clause made him one of the most talked-about young talents in England, and eventually Bayern Munich swooped in, offering him the chance to prove himself at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
The Bundesliga move was supposed to be Olise’s big step up, and while he has shown glimpses of brilliance, it hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing in Germany. Injuries, adaptation to a new league, and the pressure of playing for Bayern have all tested him. Yet his talent is undeniable, and Liverpool’s scouts have been watching closely. They see in Olise the potential to become not just a squad player but a future superstar. His left-footedness, creativity, vision, and ability to cut inside from the right wing echo some of Salah’s best qualities. He is not Salah yet, but he has the tools to develop into someone who could shoulder the responsibility of carrying Liverpool’s attack in years to come.
Arne Slot is known for valuing versatile, intelligent players who can fit into his tactical system. Olise is exactly that type of player. At Palace, he was often used on the right wing, but he has also played centrally as an attacking midfielder. At Bayern, he has been asked to adapt to different roles, showing that he can be flexible. Slot likes his wingers to press aggressively, to work hard for the team, and to also deliver quality in the final third. Olise ticks those boxes. He is still developing the ruthless consistency that Salah has mastered, but at 23, he has time on his side.
For Liverpool fans, the thought of life without Salah is almost unthinkable. His goals, his moments of brilliance, his leadership on the pitch – replacing all that is nearly impossible. But what Slot and the club are trying to do is not to find a carbon copy but to bring in someone who can grow into their own identity while easing the transition. Olise offers that blend of youth, skill, and Premier League experience. He would not arrive as “the new Salah” but as Michael Olise, a player with his own style and flair, who could, over time, take on the responsibility of being Liverpool’s right-sided star.
It is also important to understand why Liverpool are looking at Olise now, rather than later. Transfer markets are competitive, and waiting too long often means losing out. Other top clubs are watching Olise too. Manchester City, Chelsea, and even clubs abroad have shown interest in him before. By moving decisively, Liverpool can position themselves as his next big step. Bayern Munich will not want to let him go easily, but Liverpool have shown in the past that they are capable of pulling off big deals when they believe in the player.
Financially, Liverpool are in a strong position. The £440m rebuild might sound excessive, but the sales of older or fringe players, coupled with commercial success, mean the club is still stable. The owners, Fenway Sports Group, have backed Slot heavily because they believe in his project. They see that the Premier League title last season was not the end but the beginning of a new cycle. Bringing in Olise would be another piece of that puzzle.
Tactically, the move also makes sense. Salah remains first choice for now, but with the number of games Liverpool play across all competitions, having depth is crucial. Injuries, fatigue, and rotation are all factors that Slot must manage. Olise could slot into the team gradually, learning from Salah while also contributing when called upon. That way, when the time eventually comes for Salah to step aside, Olise will not be a newcomer but an established part of the squad.
Another factor is Liverpool’s growing French connection. Players like Ibrahima Konaté and young signings from across Europe are helping to create a diverse squad that can blend different styles of football. Olise, as a French international, would add to that mix and bring his own personality to the dressing room.
There is, of course, always risk in transfers. Olise has had injury issues, particularly with hamstrings, and Liverpool will need to be confident that he can stay fit. The intensity of the Premier League is unforgiving, and Slot demands high physical levels from his players. But Liverpool’s medical and sports science departments are among the best in the world, and if anyone can manage Olise’s fitness, it is them.
Beyond the footballing reasons, there is also the symbolic value of this transfer. It would show once again that Liverpool are thinking long-term. Just as they planned ahead when replacing players like Coutinho, Wijnaldum, and Firmino, they are now planning for Salah’s eventual exit. Great clubs do not wait for decline; they prepare in advance. Slot, with his meticulous planning, understands this perfectly.
Fans might wonder: why Olise, and not someone else? The truth is, Liverpool have looked at many options. Players like Rodrygo, Kvaratskhelia, and others have been linked in recent years. But Olise offers something unique – proven Premier League ability combined with youth and affordability compared to some of the global superstars. He knows the English game, he has faced the defenders, and he has delivered in difficult matches. That makes him less of a gamble than a player coming straight from another league with no experience of England.
If the deal does happen, it will not just be about what Olise can bring today, but what he can bring in the next five to seven years. Salah has set a standard that is incredibly high, but Olise has the chance to write his own story. Under Slot, in a team that is hungry, aggressive, and ambitious, he could flourish.
The coming months will be telling. Liverpool will push forward in negotiations, Bayern will consider their position, and Olise himself will have a decision to make. Does he want to fight for his place in Germany, or does he want to return to England and take on the challenge of filling Salah’s shoes at one of the biggest clubs in the world?
One thing is certain – Arne Slot is not finished. The rebuild continues, and Liverpool’s ambition shows no sign of slowing down. From the outside, it might look like a team that has already reached the top. But inside, the hunger for more is driving every decision. Michael Olise could be the next big step, and if the move goes through, it will be a statement to the rest of Europe: Liverpool are not just champions of today, they are building for tomorrow.
