According to a report from Matt Woosnam of The Athletic, the £35 million release clause for Manchester City target Michael Olise is still in place. Pep Guardiola’s team is interested in the Crystal Palace winger as a potential replacement for Riyadh Mahrez, who last month signed a £30 million deal to join the Saudi club Al Ahli.
Targeting Olise: Manchester City and Chelsea
The Release Clause Has Been Renegotiated by Crystal Palace
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Manchester City and Chelsea’s interest in the young French international. According to Romano’s claim, the player’s contract still had a £35 million release clause in effect. Darren Ambrose of Talksport said that sources inside the club at the time refuted this.
The needed amount may have been raised or this clause may have been deleted, according to suggestions made to the media during the previous season. But Matt Woosnam has now said that a £35 million offer would be sufficient to lure the kid away from Selhurst Park.
The South London club, Crystal Palace, was fearful of losing Olise to other teams for a lower price and engaged in negotiations with the 21-year-old winger throughout last season to renegotiate and increase the buyout clause. Olise was bought by Palace from Reading when an £8 million release clause was triggered. However, it appears that no agreement was reached despite their best efforts.
Roy Hodgson Must ‘Fight’ to Prevent Manchester City and Other Suitors from Getting Michael Olise
There is a “slight uncertainty” that the player will remain at the club this summer, manager Roy Hodgson confessed to journalists this week, adding that “we have a struggle on our hands to make sure he stays with us.” Olise contributed two goals and 11 assists in 37 Premier League games for the Eagles, and former manager Patrick Vieira called him a “great talent.”
Michael Olise might fit very well at Manchester City.
There are many reasons for Manchester City supporters to be excited about the youthful talent, despite his lack of goals in the previous season. His 4.68 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes last season, which put him among Europe’s top playmakers, demonstrated an excellent ability to open up opportunities for his teammates. He also registered 0.28 expected assists.
With 1.90 tackles and 1.51 blocks per 90, Olise also has a unique willingness to put in defensive work for an attacker his age. For top clubs, Bernardo Silva’s desire to support teammates and cover full-backs is extremely vital, as evidenced by his contributions to City’s champions league triumph last season.
Michael Olise Injury Could be a Concern For Clubs
The young player tore his hamstring while representing France at the Under-21 Euros in June, dealing a devastating blow to Palace and any interested parties. According to Hodgson, the player has undergone surgery for the injury and is “way into rehabilitation.” The wide receiver is anticipated to be out until October, leaving the former England manager with the difficult dilemma of whether to replace Olise in the starting lineup.
After nine consecutive seasons at the club and a free transfer to Galatasaray this summer, club legend Wilfried Zaha will not be available for the London team to begin the new season. Fans will be looking for players like Odsonne Eduoard to step up in their absence as the Croydon icon is no longer with them and their young prodigy will be out to start the season.
It remains to be seen whether the injury will be sufficient to discourage City or Chelsea from making a bid for the player. To replace Olise, City is reportedly keeping an eye on Belgian attacker Jeremy Doku.