Michael Olise’s remarkable rise to becoming one of world football’s most sought-after stars could have taken a very different path after Tottenham Hotspur reportedly decided against signing him as a teenager because of concerns about his attitude.
The Bayern Munich winger is now being linked with a blockbuster move to Real Madrid after establishing himself among Europe’s elite attackers, but his journey to the top was far from straightforward.
Olise spent time in the academies of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City before eventually joining Reading, where he began to fulfil his immense potential. According to reports, Tottenham had the opportunity to sign him during his youth career but chose not to proceed because of perceived concerns over his personality and attitude.
That decision now looks costly.
After breaking through at Reading, Olise earned a move to Crystal Palace in 2021 and quickly became one of the Premier League’s most exciting creative players. His performances persuaded Bayern Munich to invest around £60 million to bring him to Germany in 2024.
The France international has since gone from strength to strength. During his debut season at Bayern he registered 20 goals and 23 assists across all competitions. He followed that with another outstanding campaign in 2025-26, producing 31 assists and emerging as one of the Bundesliga’s most influential attacking players.
His form has attracted interest from Real Madrid, with reports suggesting club president Florentino Perez is prepared to sanction a huge offer for the 24-year-old if re-elected. Some reports have placed the potential bid at around €150 million (£130 million).
However, Bayern Munich have made it clear they have no intention of selling one of their prized assets. Club president Herbert Hainer recently dismissed speculation surrounding a transfer and insisted the winger is not available for sale.
Born in London but representing France internationally, Olise has become a key figure for both Bayern and Les Bleus. His performances have also seen him emerge as an outside contender for football’s biggest individual honours ahead of the World Cup.
For Tottenham, the story serves as a reminder of how close they came to signing a player now regarded as one of the most exciting attacking talents in world football.
