Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool experienced a summer of significant change in 2025 and whilst many expected the summer of 2026 to be a quieter one, that may not now be the case.
With Mohamed Salah announcing that he is set to depart the club at the end of the season, the Reds now have a sizeable hole to fill.
As a result, potential targets are already surfacing, with Yan Diomande and Michael Olise being two names that frequently pop up.
Any pursuit of high-level targets will rest on Liverpool securing Champions League qualification which the Reds are currently embroiled in a fierce battle for.
Liverpool’s spending spree last summer was frowned upon by many, but the Reds viewed it as the summer of transition and “three windows in one” as described by senior Anfield figures.
When reports recently emerged that Michael Olise was a summer target for Liverpool, Bayern chief Ulrich Hoeness had some strong words to say on the matter.
In an attempt to slow down the rumour mill, he said: “Liverpool spent 500 million this year and are having a very bad season. So, we won’t be contributing to them playing better next year.”
Strong words that are rooted in the belief that Bayern Munich still haven’t got over Liverpool snatching Florian Wirtz away from them last summer.
The Reds snatched Florian Wirtz away from the hands of several top European clubs when they signed him for a hefty £116m fee.
Bayern Munich were in the hunt for Florian Wirtz but the German playmaker opted for a move to England after deciding not to make the inevitable move to the best team in Germany as a young German.
The idea that Bayern Munich have failed to lick their wounds was further enforced by Fabrizo Romano in a recent YouTube video.
The Italian journalist said: “Uli Hoeness was also replying to the Liverpool links [for Olise] and he said Liverpool spent 500 million euros last summer on new signings and they’re having a bad season. So, we don’t want to contribute to Liverpool’s success.”
“Strong message. Let me say Bayern are still not happy with how behind the scenes Liverpool got Florian Wirtz, when Bayern were negotiating to get him.”
Fabrizio Romano has made it clear that Bayern Munich have appeared unwilling to shake their frustrations at losing out on their top target last summer and as a result their relationship with Liverpool has been damaged.
Having done deals for Thiago Alcantara, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz in recent years, it will be seen as a shame that Bayern Munich can’t get over the fact that Florian Wirtz preferred the Reds over them.
It must also be said that Florian Wirtz was well in his right to choose whatever club he wanted and instead of blaming Liverpool for the failure of the transfer, Bayern Munich should look inwards and discuss why the player decided to move to the Premier League instead.
Any pursuit of Michael Olise by the Reds now appears to be trickier with the Bundesliga side seemingly determined to keep hold of the Frenchman, whose contract with the club doesn’t run out until 2029.
Even if Bayern Munich did decide to let Michael Olise leave, Liverpool look like the least likely club they’d sanction a sale to.
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