Some moments in football theatre are extraordinary.
On Thursday, Florentino Perez stood in front of the cameras and was asked directly about Michael Olise.
“He’s a great player, but it’s not him,” Perez said.
Clear and unambiguous.
It seemed like it was denial.
However, confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, it was a lie.
Florentino Perez preparing €150m bid for Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise
According to The Telegraph, Florentino Perez is preparing to submit a €150 million offer to Bayern Munich for Olise if he wins Sunday’s presidential election.
The bid would be the largest in Real Madrid’s history.
Romano confirmed the details were accurate, revealing three specific reasons why Perez is going all in.
Olise was outstanding when Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid in the Champions League this season.
A performance that left the Madrid president convinced he was watching one of the elite attacking talents in European football.
Perez believes Olise, Mbappe and Vinicius Junior as a front three would give Real Madrid the most devastating attacking line in the world.
And incoming manager Jose Mourinho wants Olise as the first major piece of his new project at the Bernabeu.
Perez had already publicly announced his intention to bid €150 million for an unnamed player.
When pushed specifically on Olise, he denied it.
The denial was almost certainly strategic, with Real Madrid not wanting to reveal their hand publicly before Sunday’s election or before the formal offer is submitted on Tuesday.
Bayern Munich have been categorical in their response.
Honorary president Uli Hoeness stated that Olise is “not for sale” at any price.
Sources inside the club have confirmed that even an offer of €200 million would not be sufficient.
Vincent Kompany built his Bayern Munich system around Olise from the moment he arrived at the Allianz Arena.
But Real Madrid under Perez, if he retains the presidency on Sunday, are prepared to test Bayern’s “not for sale” position with the biggest offer their club has ever made.
Whether money alone can unlock this deal is the central question.
But €150 million is a number that very few clubs in the history of football have ever said no to.
Want to get the latest transfer news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
