The speculation regarding Manchester City’s interest in Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise has prompted insights from a reporter affiliated with the club.
Manchester City’s name frequently arises in discussions about top-tier attacking talent, especially as they look to bolster their wing options in 2026 as part of an ongoing transformation during the latter stages of Pep Guardiola’s time at the helm.
After a summer that welcomed Rayan Cherki from Lyon and saw Claudio Echeverri loaned to Bayer Leverkusen, Pep Guardiola is carefully evaluating his attacking options in anticipation of the forthcoming transfer windows.
This assessment comes in the midst of a significant squad overhaul, with Ederson, İlkay Gündoğan, and Manuel Akanji moving to Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, and Inter Milan, respectively, while Jack Grealish has embarked on a loan to Everton.
These departures have paved the way for younger players, such as Oscar Bobb – recently recovering from a long-term injury – and promising talent Divine Mukasa, to compete more fiercely for a spot in the starting lineup during the ongoing 2025/26 season.
Michael Olise, who made the switch from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024, has surfaced in reports as a possible future target for Manchester City. The French forward’s versatility in various attacking positions aligns him with the increasing speculation surrounding Bernardo Silva’s long-term future at City.
This week, Jack Gaughan from MailSport fielded questions from Manchester City fans regarding whether Olise is a ‘genuine target’ for the club.
“Not for January, and it might be too soon to anticipate what the summer will hold,” Gaughan stated. “With Bernardo Silva’s contract nearing its end, a spot will become available, and City have expressed interest in Olise previously.”
Gaughan elaborated, “The direction taken in this area of the pitch will heavily depend on Oscar Bobb’s performance: if he meets expectations, it is unlikely City will pursue new signings.”
This viewpoint resonates with discussions coming from within City’s ranks in recent months, where officials have consistently indicated that any recruitment in attacking positions will rely significantly on player performance and growth throughout the current season.
Last summer, the club was prepared to invest heavily in a right-winger, with reports from Germany suggesting they were ready to spend €100 million on a Bayern attacker; however, their current strategies seem more cautious.
At this point, the chances of City making a move for Olise in 2026 may hinge on several factors, including the resolution of Bernardo Silva’s contract, Oscar Bobb’s form, and Bayern Munich’s strategies for Olise along with any competing interest in the player.
If Manchester City were to reconsider their interest, it would follow the established trend under Pep Guardiola of targeting players who can operate effectively in both wide and central roles, maintaining tactical versatility.
Under the guidance of Hugo Viana, who is now overseeing squad planning in his first full season as sporting director, Manchester City is expected to keep a close watch on Olise’s progress in the Bundesliga rather than rushing into any decisions.