Real Madrid eye Bayern’s Lennart Karl As Olise dead‑end
El Madrid have renewed their pursuit of Bayern Munich’s 18‑year‑old attacking midfielder Lennart Karl, even as the Spanish giants officially denied any interest in French winger Michael Olise, who Bayern has declared untransferable after closing negotiations earlier this season and reaffirming his status.
A picture taken by Uwe Anspach and published by journalist Pepe Gil‑Vernet captures Lennart Karl celebrating a Bayern goal this season. The image underscores the young star’s growing profile.
Olise saga stalls
Months of speculation linked Real Madrid with French winger Michael Olise. Bayern Munich, however, shut the door on any deal and labelled the player untransferable. Throughout the period El Madrid publicly denied any interest.
Karl emerges as Madrid target
German media, writing from Alemania, now claim the Spanish club has turned its attention to Bayern’s 18‑year‑old attacking midfielder Lennart Karl. The Bavarian youngster burst onto the European scene last season, featuring in 40 matches under Vincent Kompany, scoring nine goals and providing eight assists.
The injury to Jamal Musiala at the Club World Cup created a vacancy that Karl filled, seizing the chance to become a regular starter. His performances earned him a call‑up from national team coach Julian Nagelsmann for the upcoming World Cup, but a muscle injury in a training session forced him to withdraw before his debut.
Club captain Aguirre praised the teenager, saying “Va a ser un buen colofón en mi carrera”. Midfielder Paula Lerín and forward Roberto Fernández added, “Peleo por hacerme un hueco en la Selección”. Their comments underline the player’s rising profile.
According to, Karl’s dribbling, vision and ability to unbalance opponents have attracted interest from several top clubs, Real Madrid included. Bayern, aware of the difficulty in negotiating with the Bavarian hierarchy, have already announced that Karl’s contract runs until 2029 and that they intend to secure an extension as soon as possible.
In January, Karl expressed a desire to join the club of his dreams, stating “El Bayern es un club muy, muy grande… pero algún día me gustaría firmar por el Real Madrid: es el club de mis sueños, que quede entre nosotros”. He later issued an apology and clarified his remarks.
Bayern’s general manager Max Eberl responded, explaining that the player’s comment was “something unpleasant that could be misinterpreted”, but affirmed that the matter is settled and that Karl is comfortable at FC Bayern and knows his value there.