Transfer Centre

Four Michael Olise replacements Crystal Palace could sign this summer

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 23 June 2024

Olise on the move? Who could Crystal Palace sign as his replacement?

Sports Mole takes a look at four players who Crystal Palace could look to sign to replace Michael Olise, who has reportedly agreed to join Bayern Munich this summer.

Despite soaring up to 10th place and ending the 2023-24 Premier League season on a high, Crystal Palace are set to part ways with at least one of their star players in the summer transfer window.

The electric form of winger Michael Olise during the second half of the campaign, under the tutelage of new manager Oliver Glasner, has caught the eye of several top European clubs including Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United.

However, multiple reports claim that the 22-year-old has decided to join Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, who have allegedly reached an agreement with Palace to sign the highly-rated Frenchman for €60m (£50.7m) including add-ons.

Olise is expected to undergo a medical and put pen to paper on a long-term contract until 2029 ahead of finalising his transfer to the Allianz Arena, where he will work under new head coach Vincent Kompany.

Replacing Olise will be an onerous task for the Eagles; the winger has established himself as a fans' favourite at Selhurst Park since arriving in 2021 and he contributed with 10 goals and six assists in 19 Premier League games last season, despite a largely injury-hit campaign.

Nevertheless, Glasner will be keen to use the funds generated from Olise's sale to recruit an adequate successor, and here, Sports Mole takes a look at four players who Crystal Palace could look to sign this summer.

Reiss Nelson (Arsenal)

Arsenal's Reiss Nelson during the warm up before the match on November 3, 2022 © Reuters

Crystal Palace have reportedly opened negotiations to sign Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson, who has informed the Gunners of his desire to assess transfer opportunities this summer after struggling to gain regular first-team football last season.

Nelson signed a new long-term contract until June 2027 last summer in the hope of featuring on a consistent basis for Mikel Arteta's side, but the 24-year-old was reduced to just five starts and 18 substitute appearances in all competitions during the 2023-24 campaign.

Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for academy graduate Nelson, who is also wanted by the likes of West Ham United and Nottingham Forest, and is valued at around £21m.

Nelson has shown glimpses of his potential in his very limited minutes at Arsenal and he shares similar characteristics to Olise, possessing explosive speed, agility, excellent dribbling ability and an eye for goal.

The skilful winger could consider another move abroad having previously spent time on loan at Hoffenheim and Feyenoord, but he may be tempted by the prospect of remaining in London and playing regularly for an attack-minded Premier League club on the rise in the form of Crystal Palace.

Crysencio Summerville (Leeds United)

Leeds United's Crysencio Summerville celebrates scoring their fourth goal on May 16, 2024 © Reuters

One player who has been heavily linked with a host of Premier League clubs is Leeds United's Crysencio Summerville, who was named Championship Player of the Year following a stellar 2023-24 campaign.

The 22-year-old winger scored 20 goals and registered 10 assists in 45 league appearances last season, but he was unable to fire Leeds back to the Premier League, with Daniel Farke's men falling short in the Championship playoff final.

Speculation over Summerville's future has since intensified, and after failing to secure promotion back to the promised land, Leeds could be forced to cash in on some of their star players this summer in order to balance their books.

The carrot of playing in the Premier League is undoubtedly alluring for Summerville, who is sure to have ambitions of trying his luck again in England's top flight after making 28 appearances during a breakthrough season in 2022-23.

Palace are said to be long-term admirers of Summerville - valued between £30m and £40m - and are exploring the possibility of signing the Dutchman this summer. Although the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion have also been credited with an interest, the Eagles are seemingly the most likely outfit who can offer him assurances over regular first-team football, especially if Olise were to depart.

Jaden Philogene (Hull City)

Hull City's Jaden Philogene celebrates after scoring his first goal on March 2, 2024 [IMAGO] © Imago

Under the guidance of sporting director Dougie Freedman, Palace have frequently delved into the EFL market to sign highly-rated youngsters in recent years, most notably Olise, Eberechi Eze and most recently Adam Wharton, so few can be surprised to see the Eagles linked with Championship stars including Summerville and Hull City's Jaden Philogene.

The 22-year-old versatile attacker, who can operate on both flanks or in a central attacking-midfield role, made the permanent switch to Hull from Aston Villa last summer after failing to make the grade at Villa Park.

Philogene has since taken the Championship by storm with Hull and contributed to 18 goals (12 goals, six assists) in 32 league matches last season, with the Tigers finishing seventh and narrowly missing out on the playoffs.

Although the England Under-21 international still has two years remaining on his contract, a move to the Premier League has been mooted for the youngster amid interest from Palace, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Southampton.

Interested suitors would be required to pay a premium for Philogene, though, as Hull owner Acun Ilicali stated in April that the Tigers would not consider selling the second-tier starlet even if an offer of €30m (£25.6m) was received this summer.

Marcus Edwards (Sporting Lisbon)

Sporting Lisbon's Marcus Edwards pictured with the Primeira Liga trophy on May 18, 2024 [IMAGO] © Imago

Palace may consider stepping up their interest in Sporting Lisbon's Marcus Edwards, a dangerous dribbler on his day who, like Olise, is a left-footed right-winger that boasts plenty of pace, trickery and creative flair.

The Enfield-born attacker began his youth career at Tottenham, but he has since blossomed into one of the best players in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, firstly starring with Vitoria de Guimaraes before elevating his game at Sporting since joining the club in 2022.

Edwards has recorded 21 goals and 26 assists in 110 appearances for Sporting across all tournaments, including six goals and nine assists in 44 games during a title-winning 2023-24 campaign.

The 25-year-old, who has been likened to Lionel Messi by Mauricio Pochettino, has made a name for himself in Portugal, but he may soon wish to take the next step in his career and try his luck back in his homeland amid interest from former club Spurs, Liverpool and Palace.

A report from Trigger The Press earlier this year claimed that Edwards is high on Palace's list of targets to potentially replace Olise, while Correio da Manha, via SportWitness, states that the Englishman is available for as little as £17m this summer.