by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- While the spotlight around him continues to intensify, Michael Olise prefers to keep his distance.
Ahead of Bayern Munich's UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, the 24-year-old forward has emerged as one of the key figures in the tie, drawing praise from across the game.
Former Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn described Olise as a Ballon d'Or candidate, while comparisons have been drawn with club greats Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.
Yet Olise's response to the growing acclaim has been characteristically understated. Rarely one for elaborate celebrations, he is known to retreat into his own world, even turning to a game of chess on his phone amid the noise.
"You know what is coming, but you can't stop it," Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said, referring to Olise's trademark runs from the wing into the box.
Since joining Bayern from Crystal Palace in 2024 for a reported 53 million euros, Olise has exceeded expectations and quickly established himself as one of Europe's most exciting attackers.
Reports have linked him with a potential move to Real Madrid, with speculation of offers between 165 and 200 million euros, but Bayern has moved to shut down any suggestion of a sale.
"To cash in on his transfer is not on Bayern's mind," supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. "We would miss him in a sporting way."
Rummenigge added that players of Olise's quality "have no price tag," noting the forward is under contract until 2029 without a release clause.
Eberl also highlighted Olise's work off the ball, saying the winger contributes defensively in a way reminiscent of few attacking players.
"He from the start did his share in the back," Eberl said.
Olise's performances have also left coach Vincent Kompany struggling for superlatives.
"He has set the bar so high for himself that I would have been disappointed if he had missed that shot," Kompany said after Olise's goal against Mainz. "That's absurd."
"Goals like that shouldn't be normal, but he made us get used to them," he added.
Olise has four goals and eight assists in the Champions League this season, along with 13 goals and 21 assists in the Bundesliga, underlining his growing influence ahead of Bayern's meeting with PSG. Enditem
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