“He Should Be Earning €45m” – Bayern Legend Compares Olise With Maradona

The comparison carries weight given Matthäus’ own history against Maradona during their playing careers, when the pair were among the leading figures in Italian football.

Matthäus also suggested Olise could challenge for the Ballon d’Or, noting how highly he rates the 24-year-old’s progress since joining Bayern from Crystal Palace in 2024 for a reported €53 million.

Matthäus proposes major salary increase

The Bayern icon believes Olise’s market value has increased three or four times since his arrival in Munich.

“If you adjusted his salary to his market value, he would now have to earn 45, 46, 47 million!” Matthäus said.

He later clarified that Bayern would not need to pay such an amount, but recommended extending Olise’s contract by two or three years and increasing his wages by several million euros.

Matthäus also suggested Bayern could fund the increase through savings elsewhere in the squad, pointing to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s potential departure next year and the salary costs that could be freed up.

Bayern face competition for Olise

Olise’s current contract runs until 2029, but Bayern are reportedly keen to secure his future amid interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Reports suggest the club could offer a package worth around €25 million annually, plus bonuses, although negotiations have yet to progress significantly.

Matthäus argued that extending Olise’s deal would also protect Bayern financially by strengthening their position should another club attempt to sign him.