MANCHESTER United are considered front-runners to sign Michael Olise should the winger leave Crystal Palace this summer, sources told ESPN.
Olise, 22, is understood to have a release clause in his contract that becomes active after the end of the season, and United’s new leadership group under minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe have identified Olise as key target in their summer rebuild.
It is unclear exactly how much a deal to sign Olise would cost but the figure is significantly higher than the £35 million ($43.7m) clause in his previous contract. One source put the amount between £50m and £60m.
Sources told ESPN that United are at the head of the queue to sign Olise and are not deterred by being unable to offer Champions League football next season.
ESPN previously reported that United could be willing to offer Aaron Wan-Bissaka as part of any deal to help boost the club’s transfer budget given limited headroom in compliance with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
However, talks are not at an advanced stage, and United could face competition for his signature from other Premier League rivals. Chelsea thought they had triggered Olise’s £35m clause last summer, only for the deal to fall down on a technicality.
Sources told ESPN the terms of the clause meant Olise had to inform Palace directly that the clause had been triggered whereas Chelsea attempted to negotiate directly with Palace.
Palace chairman Steve Parish used the ensuing delay and confusion to renegotiate an improved four-year deal with Olise which he subsequently signed.
Chelsea, who also pursued Mohammed Kudus prior to him leaving Ajax for West Ham, eventually turned their attention to Cole Palmer, who has been a revelation at Stamford Bridge since joining from Manchester City last summer.
The west London club may look to revive their interest, but PSR compliance is a significant issue with Chelsea under pressure to sell several players shortly after the end of the season.
Liverpool have been credited with an interest in Olise, particularly if Mohamed Salah departs this summer, and both the Merseyside club and Arsenal could offer Champions League football.
Arsenal have reportedly scouted Olise, although Mikel Arteta’s team are long-term admirers of Wolves’ Pedro Neto.
United and Arsenal are among a host of clubs also keeping tabs on Palace defender Marc Guehi, who has a little over two years left on his contract at Selhurst Park.
A source close to Guehi insisted the 23-year-old’s sole focus is returning from a knee injury in time to feature for Palace again this season and make himself available for a place in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad for Euro 2024.
