Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has become the focus of fresh transfer interest from multiple Premier League clubs, with Liverpool among the teams linked alongside Chelsea and Manchester City. German outlet BILD state Liverpool are “especially keen” to strike a deal worth €100 million (£87.1 million, $117.4 million) to sign Olise next summer.

Liverpool were reported last month to be viewing Olise as a potential long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah and may seek to exploit contract discussions that have been described as a source of tension for Bayern. When Olise left Palace in 2024, Chelsea and City were already known suitors, with Chelsea believing they had secured a deal 12 months earlier. His form in the Bundesliga has only bolstered his market appeal.

Unlike the situation surrounding striker Harry Kane, where a release clause is driving interest, no such clause exists in Olise’s contract, leaving Bayern firmly in control of any transfer decision. Bayern officials are preparing a new contract proposal that would include a substantial pay rise, a measure intended to curb speculation and secure his services long term.

Olise’s current agreement runs until 2029, and Bayern have a policy of allowing players to approach the end of their deals if they judge an extension remains possible. They are not under immediate pressure to sell in 2026 unless the typically subdued Olise decides to kick up a fuss.

“As far as interest from other clubs goes, we’re completely relaxed,” CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen insisted recently. Bayern will nonetheless aim to resolve the matter before talks escalate, and a high-value contract offer would be the most direct way to end the rumours and reassert control over the winger’s future.

Florian Wirtz has faced a difficult start at Liverpool but two respected figures have urged calm as criticism grows. Sir Kenny Dalglish and Rudi Völler have both offered public backing after Jamie Carragher suggested the summer signing should be removed from the team.

The Germany international began the season as Liverpool’s No. 10 before losing his place for the Merseyside derby against Everton. He returned on the left wing for the match against Crystal Palace and was restored to a central role for Tuesday’s defeat to Galatasaray.

Carragher warned there is an obvious problem in finding the right balance. “He has got plenty of time to go as a Liverpool player, but right now I think he needs to come out of the team,” the retired star warned, “…[for] Liverpool go back to what they were last season and then go from there and build some confidence, build some defensive solidity. Right now. it is a mess.”

Dalglish, asked about Wirtz, urged the player not to overthink the situation and said he sees the qualities that will succeed in time. “The first thing he needs to do is what he’s doing at the moment,” Dalglish said. “He’s great at taking the ball into the feet, he’ll open himself up and the pass has beat you but he’s still got control of it. Or he’ll take it the other way back past you to go that way and you’re going this way. He can see what’s in front of him, and once he gets it…”

Dalglish pointed to the potential partnership with Alexander Isak, noting conversations and training work as the foundation for on-field understanding. “I saw Isak the other day, the second half when he came on [against Everton] I think, and he’s talking to one of the boys about his movement, what he would do. And [Wirtz] is listening to him and once they get on the same wavelength… “By the way, that wee fella [Wirtz], he could open a can of soup [with his foot].” He added: “It could happen right away [for Wirtz and Isak]. For Rushy, it was training for us,” the Scot replied. “We did it in training, so that’s where you learn it first, isn’t it?”

The arrival of other summer signings has influenced the debate. Hugo Ekitiké has adapted more smoothly, and his avoidable red card against Southampton followed over-jubilant celebrations after scoring a late winner. That comparison has fed social media pressure on Wirtz.

Völler, who knows Wirtz well, urged the player to ignore outside noise. “Florian shouldn’t let himself get carried away [with what people say]. I have no concerns about that… he’ll show the English what he’s made of,” Völler told BILD.

João Pedro’s sending off against Benfica will not prevent him from playing for Chelsea in the Premier League at the weekend. The Brazilian’s dismissal came after he collected two yellow cards in the Champions League tie, which means the resulting suspension applies only to the club’s next European fixture.

Chelsea have had disciplinary issues in recent matches. In the Premier League outings against Manchester United and Brentford, Robert Sánchez and Trevoh Chalobah were both dismissed and the Blues took zero points from a possible six. Sánchez’s scything down of Bryan Mbeumo left Chelsea a player short after five minutes at Old Trafford; they trailed 2–0 before Casemiro’s second booking evened up the personnel. Then Chalobah’s red turned a 1–0 lead into a 3–1 defeat against Brentford.

On Tuesday, Facundo Buonanotte had already avoided further sanction, and what had been a drab Champions League contest, marked by José Mourinho’s Stamford Bridge return, looked to be winding down. In the sixth minute of stoppage time João Pedro stuck his boot towards the face of Leandro Barreiro. The absence of contact meant a booking would have sufficed, but Pedro had been booked within a minute of his second-half introduction. That produced another red card for Chelsea, the third in four games for the club.

Because the dismissal resulted from two yellow cards, the suspension affects Europe only. Pedro will therefore be available for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool in west London. He will be suspended for Chelsea’s league phase encounter against Ajax on Oct. 22, and is due to return to Champions League action, barring injury, in Gameweek 4 when Maresca’s squad travel to Qarabag in Azerbaijan on Bonfire Night.

Chelsea are also unable to appeal Pedro’s suspension due to the fact that he received two yellow cards. It was the third sending off of his career.