There’s a reason people keep asking about Michael Olise: he’s a London-born winger who chose France over England, cost Bayern Munich a reported €60m, and still has fans wondering if he’ll ever play for Liverpool. This dossier walks through the facts behind the questions — from his dual nationality to his transfer fee and the Liverpool links that won’t quite go away.

Born: 12 December 2001, London, England ·
Club: Bayern Munich ·
National team: France ·
Position: Right winger / attacking midfielder ·
Height: 1.8 m ·
Reported Palace-to-Bayern fee: €60m release clause (reported, 2024)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact transfer fee and clause terms not officially published
  • Whether Liverpool made a formal bid for Olise unconfirmed
  • His mother’s name and religious affiliation not in public profiles
  • Childhood club fandom and personality traits not verifiable
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Olise is under contract at Bayern until 2029 (FC Bayern Store)
  • No completed Liverpool deal exists (FC Bayern Store)
  • France senior call-ups continue (FC Bayern Store)
  • Market value estimates on Transfermarkt around €45m (March 2025) (FC Bayern Store)

Here is a summary of the confirmed facts about Michael Olise.

Key facts about Michael Olise
Label Value
Full name Michael Akpovie Olise
Date of birth 12 December 2001
Place of birth London, England
Height 1.8 m
Weight 78 kg
Position Right winger / attacking midfielder
Current club Bayern Munich
National team France
Stronger foot Left
Reported transfer fee €60m release clause (reported)

Is Michael Olise English or French?

Michael Olise was born in London on 12 December 2001 — that makes him British by birth. But when you check his official club and national-team profiles, every single one lists him as French (DFB Datencenter). The answer is both: he holds French nationality and represents France at senior level, while his English birthplace means he could have played for England.

Why does Michael Olise not play for England?

The short answer: France got in early. Olise played for France from under-18 level and already had seven under-21 caps when he signed for Bayern Munich (FC Bayern official profile). By the time he was eligible for a senior England call-up, his international pathway was already French.

What nationality is Michael Olise?

He holds French nationality. FC Bayern’s official profile, the Bundesliga player database and the DFB Datencenter all list his nation as France. He was also eligible for Nigeria and Algeria through his parents.

Who are Michael Olise’s parents?

FC Bayern’s introductory article states that Olise’s mother has French-Algerian heritage and his father is Nigerian. His mother’s name is not widely published in reliable sources. His father’s Nigerian roots meant he could also have represented Nigeria.

Why this matters

Olise’s dual eligibility — England, France, Nigeria, Algeria — made his choice a defining moment. France’s consistent youth pathway gave them the edge, and the England camp lost a right winger who might have filled a position of recurring need.

The implication: England never secured Olise because France invested in him earlier. His London birth guarantees a recurring “what if” question, but the international paperwork was settled years before his senior debut.

How much did Crystal Palace sell Olise for?

Sky Sports reported that Bayern Munich triggered a release clause worth around €60m (£50.8m including add-ons) in summer 2024 (Sky Sports report). The exact clause structure has not been published by either club, but the deal made Olise one of the most expensive teenagers to move to the Bundesliga.

When did Michael Olise leave Crystal Palace?

FC Bayern announced the signing on 7 July 2024, confirming a five-year contract until 2029. He left Crystal Palace after three seasons, having joined from Reading in 2021.

Which club did Michael Olise join after Crystal Palace?

Bayern Munich. The German champions unveiled him as a right winger / attacking midfielder with a left-footed profile.

What was Michael Olise’s release clause?

Sky Sports described the fee as a €60m release clause. No official club confirmation of the exact figure exists, but multiple reports converge around that number. Note: the clause was reportedly active only in the summer 2024 window, which Bayern exploited.

The trade-off: Crystal Palace secured a premium price for a player developed in-house, but lost a creative winger whose 11 assists in the 2022/23 season were critical to their survival.

Is Michael Olise going to Liverpool?

No completed deal exists. Olise is under contract at Bayern Munich until 2029, and Liverpool have not announced any agreement. The links date from the 2024 transfer window when several Premier League clubs — including Liverpool — were reported to be monitoring Olise before Bayern moved.

Why were Liverpool linked with Michael Olise?

Liverpool needed a right-sided attacker in summer 2024 after Mohamed Salah’s long-term future was uncertain. Olise’s left-footed, right-wing profile fit the profile. But Bayern’s trigger of the release clause ended the speculation before Liverpool could formalise interest.

Why are Liverpool not buying Guehi?

Marc Guehi is a centre-back, a separate transfer topic from Olise (a winger). Liverpool’s reported interest in Guehi involves a different position and budget line. The confusion sometimes arises because both players left Crystal Palace around the same period.

What is Michael Olise’s current contract situation?

He signed a five-year deal with Bayern in July 2024. No buyout clause has been disclosed. The club’s store confirms he has been under contract since July 2024 (FC Bayern Store).

What to watch

Liverpool fans hoping for a future move should note that Olise is settled in Munich and Bayern have no incentive to sell early. The next window where a transfer could reappear is 2026, but only if Bayern sign another winger or Olise requests a move.

The pattern: Olise was a realistic target for Liverpool only while his release clause was active. Once Bayern triggered it, the window closed. Without a new clause, any future bid would require Bayern’s willingness to negotiate — and the club has not shown that.

Is Michael Olise a Manchester United fan?

There is no reliable public statement from Olise confirming any childhood club allegiance. FC Bayern’s store page notes he played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Reading at youth level, but that does not imply fandom.

Who is Man Utd’s biggest fan?

This is a subjective fan-culture question. No official “biggest fan” title exists. Olise has never claimed it.

Who has a bigger fan base, Liverpool or Man Utd?

Various surveys produce different figures. Neither club has an official global metric that settles the debate. The question is irrelevant to Olise’s career.

Does Michael Olise support any Premier League team?

No named, reliable source confirms a childhood club allegiance. Descriptions such as “shy” or “fan” should be attributed to specific interviews, not stated as fact.

The catch: Without a direct quote from Olise, any claim about his fandom is inference. The safest answer: we don’t know.

Can Michael Olise speak French?

Yes. His mother is of French-Algerian descent, and FC Bayern’s announcement notes his French youth international background inevitably required fluency. The Bundesliga profile also lists his nationality as French, implying native-level comprehension.

Who is Michael Olise’s mother?

Her name is not widely published in reliable sources. FC Bayern only describes her heritage as French-Algerian. Her identity remains private.

Is Michael Olise shy?

Some interviews and profiles have described him as reserved, but “shy” is subjective. No reliable source states it as a verified personality trait.

Is Michael Olise married?

His personal life is private. No reliable source confirms marital status or religious affiliation.

What is Michael Olise’s religion?

Not publicly documented. Do not state any affiliation without a named, verified source.

Why this matters: Personal details often feed transfer gossip and fan speculation. Without confirmation, they remain exactly that — speculation.

Timeline: Michael Olise career milestones

  • : Born in London, England (FC Bayern official profile)
  • : Joined Crystal Palace from Reading (Crystal Palace official site)
  • : 40 appearances, 11 assists, two goals (CPFC) (Crystal Palace official site)
  • : Moved to Bayern Munich; signed five-year contract; represented France at Paris Olympics (FC Bayern official news)
The upshot

Olise’s career path — Reading → Crystal Palace → Bayern Munich — shows a steady climb through English and then German football. The Olympic involvement signals France’s intent to keep him in the senior setup.

The timeline shows a consistent upward trajectory through English and German football.

Clarity: Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Michael Olise born in London on 12 December 2001. (FC Bayern official profile)
  • He plays for Bayern Munich and the France national team. (UEFA)
  • FC Bayern lists height at 1.8 m, weight at 78 kg, stronger foot left. (Bundesliga)
  • Crystal Palace season: 40 apps, 11 assists, two goals. (Crystal Palace official site)

What’s unclear

  • Exact transfer fee and clause structure not officially published.
  • Whether Liverpool made a formal move is unconfirmed.
  • His mother’s name and family religious affiliation not in reliable sources.
  • Childhood club fandom and personality traits not verifiable.

This breakdown helps distinguish verified data from persistent uncertainty.

What official sources say

Olise’s mother has French-Algerian heritage and his father is Nigerian. He was born in London, so he could have played for England.

– FC Bayern official news, July 2024 (source)

Bayern Munich will pay around €60m (£50.8m including add-ons) to Crystal Palace for Michael Olise. Chelsea dropped out of the race.

– Sky Sports, 2024 (source)

The editorial read: The two key sources — FC Bayern and Sky Sports — agree on the broad figures and timing. The gaps are in the exact clause mechanics and Liverpool’s internal decision-making, neither of which are public record.

So what does all this mean?

Michael Olise is a London-born, French-raised winger who committed to France early, moved from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich for a reported €60m, and now plays in the Bundesliga with a contract that runs until 2029. The Liverpool questions persist not because of any real transfer likelihood, but because Premier League fans always wonder “what if” about a talent whose England eligibility was never activated. For Bayern Munich, the implication is clear: they’ve secured a versatile, left-footed right winger with a proven Premier League assist record. For Liverpool supporters, the reality is equally clear: let go of the Olise speculation and focus on the club’s actual transfer targets — or risk disappointment.

Additional sources

fcbayern.com, bundesliga.com, bundesliga.com, baike.baidu.com, sportingnews.com, skysports.com

Frequently asked questions

What position does Michael Olise play?

Right winger / attacking midfielder. His stronger foot is left, but he often cuts inside from the right flank.

How old is Michael Olise?

Born 12 December 2001, making him 23 years old (as of early 2025).

How tall is Michael Olise?

1.8 m (approx. 5 ft 11 in) per Bundesliga and FC Bayern profiles.

What foot does Michael Olise use?

Left foot is his dominant foot.

What is Michael Olise’s market value?

Transfermarkt estimates around €45m as of March 2025. The actual transfer fee paid was reported as €60m.

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