Two years after joining Bayern Munich, Michael Olise is ready to take on a new challenge. The French star wants to join Real Madrid this summer.
“If we have to sell the Bernabéu to buy him, so be it.” In recent weeks, Spanish journalist Pablo Polo of Marca has been reporting on the immense anticipation surrounding Michael Olise’s potential move to Real Madrid. Having enjoyed an exceptional season with Bayern Munich (52 matches, 22 goals, 31 assists), the French international – currently the top assist provider at the 2026 World Cup – is now one of the most sought-after players on the planet.
But it is highly likely that Bayern Munich will demand at least €200 million before they would even consider a transfer this summer. Whilst the Bavarian club publicly maintains a firm stance, ruling out any departure of their winger, internal discussions tell a different story. The club’s management have already made contact with several players who could replace him should he leave, including, notably, Bradley Barcola.
Real Madrid: Olise is their dream signing
According to our sources, Michael Olise, whose contract expires in June 2029, is keen to join Real Madrid as early as this summer. The 24-year-old French international believes the Madrid club offers the ideal environment for him to continue his development and take his career to the next level. At Valdebebas, the club’s management are fully aware of his desire and are keen to make Olise a record signing.
Whilst Bayern Munich are still keen to extend Michael Olise’s contract, the club’s management are also aware that a departure remains a possibility should an exceptional offer come in. With this in mind, the Bavarian club has already made contact with several players who could potentially replace him. For its part, Real Madrid, always keen on players who shine at the World Cup, intends to capitalise on its excellent relations with Bayern Munich to try to finalise a deal that could go down in history. Talks between Michael Olise and his club’s management are expected after the World Cup and could prove decisive for his future.
Tolisso equalised a few minutes before half-time (1–1)
OL continue their pre-season preparations – which began with high-scoring matches against Mâcon (5–2) and St Gallen (6–3) – by hosting Servette FC this Wednesday afternoon at the Stade Pierre-Rajon in Bourgoin-Jallieu, three weeks ahead of their Champions League third qualifying round first leg.
2026 World Cup: the relatively unknown Pedro Porro has become Spain’s new darling
Although not widely expected by Spanish fans, Pedro Porro has been the revelation of the tournament for the Spanish side. And it’s fair to say that the Tottenham player is winning over everyone in his home country.
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Spain were naturally counting on their key players before the tournament began. Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Marc Cucurella and Aymeric Laporte were therefore already assured of a place in the starting eleven, and everyone was aware that La Roja’s success – or lack thereof – on American soil would depend largely on their performances.
But as is often the case in international competitions, there are players who weren’t necessarily expected to shine who reveal their talent to the world, becoming key players for their team somewhat to everyone’s surprise. This is the case with Pedro Porro. Of course, the Spanish right-back is no unknown who has appeared out of nowhere – at least not to football fans – as he has for some time been one of the best in his position in the Premier League. But he was not tipped to start for the national team, and indeed it was Marcos Llorente who began the tournament in that right-back position.
He was not expected to feature
To the general public in Spain, however, Pedro Porro was, until recently, a relatively unknown player. Having never played for a major club in his home country, and having mainly excelled abroad (at Sporting CP, then at Tottenham), he has therefore never made his mark on La Liga pitches, having made only around forty appearances in the Spanish top flight, for Girona and Valladolid, two clubs that receive little media coverage. Just as the clubs he has played for abroad are not really followed in Spain. He is therefore a player who is currently surprising quite a few people on the other side of the Pyrenees.
Brought into the starting line-up for the second match against Saudi Arabia following Llorente’s lacklustre performance against Cape Verde, Porro seized his chance and has remained a regular in the starting eleven ever since. In his first major tournament with Spain, the 26-year-old is displaying exceptional defensive solidity. He secures his flank superbly – one of the reasons why La Roja have conceded just one goal in seven matches – and, above all, his attacking contribution is phenomenal. Blessed with superior physical attributes and good technical ability, he makes countless runs down his flank and very often makes the right decisions in the final third.
The people’s player
He has already found the back of the net twice and has become one of our Spanish neighbours’ favourite players. Not just because of his performances, but also because of his conduct and what he stands for. He grew up in the small town of Don Benito, in Extremadura – a rather poor region that is, above all, overlooked in the world of football, with no professional clubs, for example, and not necessarily known for producing great players. Far from the big cities and far from prestigious youth academies, Porro therefore had to carve out his own path, ending up at Rayo Vallecano after impressing during a match for the Extremadura regional team played in Madrid, before moving to Girona.
In his public statements and his manner, one senses a tremendous spontaneity; he is a player who hasn’t necessarily been moulded by the media training typical of youth academies, and this is something that goes down very well in Spain. Coming from a very modest family – with a mother who worked night shifts and a father who went from one temporary job to the next – Porro saw his parents make enormous sacrifices to enable him to play football. What better reward, for him and above all for them, than to see them celebrating his goals in the stands of American stadiums…
