Exclusive: Arsenal monitor Olise contract talks as Nusa truth revealed
FootballTransfers can reveal that Arsenal are keeping tabs on Michael Olise's contract situation at Bayern Munich as they continue to assess the winger market.
The Gunners held a well-documented interest in Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr this summer, but the Brazilian ultimately ended up signing a new contract in Spain. Rather than spend money on an alternative they weren't entirely convinced about, they decided to keep their powder dry.
This was seen by many as a gamble. Having sold Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, the decision not to sign another wide man left Arsenal with Christos Tzolis as their only specialist left-winger. The Greek's injury on international duty has exposed the lack of depth in that position.
Noni Madueke deputised on the left against Leeds at the weekend, while Eberechi Eze, who can also play that position, was an unused substitute. It is an area of the pitch Arsenal know they must look at in the market.
Since their failed pursuit of Vinicius Jr, the reigning Premier League champions have been linked with numerous left-wingers. One name that has continually cropped up for several years now is RB Leipzig star Antonio Nusa.
Nusa not an option, but Olise is being watched
The Norway international has plenty of admirers around Europe. Away from the pitch, he is a level-headed, down-to-earth personality, but on it, the 21-year-old is explosive and has a knack for the spectacular.
Nusa has already scored four goals and produced three assists in seven games for Leipzig this term, including a goal and an assist in a 6-0 beatdown of Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Despite Nusa's obvious talent and potential, sources with knowledge of Arsenal's transfer plans have informed FootballTransfers that he is currently not being considered as a serious option heading into 2027.
One Bundesliga superstar Arsenal are keeping tabs on is Michael Olise - despite not being a left-winger. More precisely, the Gunners are attentive to his contract situation and his impending negotiations with Bayern.
The Bavarians are desperate to hand the France international improved terms in order to guarantee that he will stay at the club beyond 2027. Olise has fielded interest from the likes of Real Madrid, PSG and Liverpool in recent months, hence the urgency.
We can confirm that a release clause will be one of the key points under discussion. Olise does not currently have one, but Bayern may have to compromise in order to get him to extend.
The Munich outfit previously had a no-release-clause policy, but they have been forced to soften this stance in recent seasons, with both Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala - their best-paid players - having exit mechanisms in their contracts.
Given Arsenal's financial strength and willingness to pay whatever it takes for players of the calibre of Vini Jr and Olise, a release clause could make a transfer to North London possible even if he were to sign a new deal.
However, it must be emphasised that this is all hypothetical right now. Arsenal are not actively pursuing the 24-year-old at this stage; they are just keeping themselves informed on his situation.
This is perfectly normal behaviour, all the more so in light of the fact that Olise could become available next summer were he to reject Bayern's overtures and decide against extending.
An active pursuit of Olise would raise eyebrows given the implications for some of Arsenal's biggest stars. Do they want a world-class competitor or perhaps even a replacement for Bukayo Saka, who has struggled to perform at a consistently elite level recently?
Or do they view Olise as more of a No.10 and a possible successor to captain Martin Odegaard? Or is Mikel Arteta perhaps considering moving Saka to the left? All of these questions, and more, would need answering if Arsenal were to formalise their interest in Olise.
There are a lot of moving parts at this stage, but a return to his hometown to play alongside close friends Eze and William Saliba might hold appeal to Olise.
