Lennart Karl reckons Michael Olise will remain at Bayern Munich for the time being despite speculation linking him with Liverpool. Mohamed Salah's impending exit this summer could prompt the Reds to search for further attacking reinforcements.
Olise, 24, has been amongst Europe's standout performers this campaign, registering 19 goals and providing 23 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions. The former Crystal Palace man, however, still has three years left on his deal with the Bundesliga title holders.
A switch back to the Premier League might appeal to the London-born winger. Karl, though, reckons his team-mate is not going anywhere.
Speaking to BILD about Olise, he said: "Michael is a regular starter at Bayern and has a very good environment here, that's why I don't think he'll go anywhere else, but rather that he'll stay at Bayern and be able to shape an era here".
The newly called-up Germany international also disputed the public perception of Olise as laid-back, adding: "In the dressing room, he's the complete opposite of the image the public has of him. He makes a lot of jokes and is very active with the team.
"Michael has a great sense of humour. He's very popular with the team and an outstanding footballer; he scores fantastic goals, provides assists, and is always there for the team."
Karl is not the sole Bayern representative to comment on Olise's prospects. The club's honorary president, Uli Hoeness, addressed reports that Liverpool are willing to table as much as € 200 million (£173m) during the AI festival 'data:unplugged' in Munster.
Hoeness said: "If that's true, I don't believe it is, but Liverpool have spent €500million (£433m) this year and are having a very bad season. So we won't be contributing to them playing better next year.
"We play this game for our fans, we have 430,000 members, we have many millions of fans around the world. It does them little good if we have €200million (£173m) in the bank and play worse football every Saturday because of it."
Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the season and Fanatics has cut the price of this season's kits with 'M. Salah 11' printing.
Bayern's sporting director, Max Eberl, has echoed these sentiments: He said: "We're not giving it a second thought. Michael has a contract with us until 2029, without a release clause – we're relaxed. He's an FC Bayern player and has all the opportunities here that top players could wish for; we want to shape the future with him."
The club's chief executive, Jan-Christian Dreesen, shares this position, stating: "Whatever club is flirting with him, anyone who plays for FC Bayern knows what they have at FC Bayern."
