Bayern believe they have signed '£100m star for half price' after pipping Utd

Bayern Munich chiefs believe they have signed a £100million player for half the price in Michael Olise.  The Frenchman's big-money arrival was initially scrutinised in Bavaria earlier this summer and German sources even claim a large percentage of Bayern's fanbase didn't even know who the player was before he put pen to paper on a long-term contract.  But the Allianz Arena hierarchy are said to be delighted with the 22-year-old's progress after he struck five goals and two assists within the space of a week - including a double against Dinamo Zagreb on his Champions League debut.  Former Crystal Palace starlet Olise cost an initial £45m plus an additional £5m in bonuses and so far, he has kept Leroy Sane out of Vincent Kompany's starting XI - reducing the pressure on Bayern to agree a contract extension with the speedy German winger.

Sane's current deal is up next summer and discussions over a new deal are yet to reach a positive conclusion, though further talks could take place imminently.  Olise earned his first two international caps for France earlier this month as a reward for his lightening start to the new season, having also thrived at the Olympic Games under Thierry Henry. Harry Kane, who has displayed instant chemistry with Olise in attack for Bayern, has already been full of praise for the slick dribbler.  The England captain said earlier this week: “Michael’s ability on the ball is fantastic. The way he moves, the way he goes around players - and his final product is at a high, high level. And he’s still very young, so there’s even more improvement to come. Great additions to the squad. All that does is push each other to be more motivated and have more competition for places.”

Bayern are believed to have pipped a host of top clubs to Olise's signature, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle.  Chelsea came close to tying up a deal in the summer of 2023 before a dramatic, late U-turn saw the France international pen a new contract with Crystal Palace.  The Blues had activated Olise's initial £35m release clause, which later increased, but were reportedly threatened with legal action by Palace over allegedly 'tapping-up' the player behind the Eagles' back.  One year later, he decided to move to Bayern and so far, he has shown no signs of regretting that decision as he has been one of the best players in all of Europe's top-five leagues so far this season.