Manchester United have apparently been handed a significant boost in their hopes of signing Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who would welcome a switch to Old Trafford.
Despite enduring an injury-hit 2023-24 campaign at Selhurst Park, the France Under-21 international has not lost his X factor, having a direct hand in 11 goals in 16 Premier League games this season when fit.
Olise has conjured up seven goals of his own in addition to four assists, taking his total for the Eagles to 13 goals and 23 assists in 87 matches since his 2021 arrival from Reading.
A move back to Chelsea - where he was a youth player from 2009 to 2016 - appeared to be on the cards last summer, but Olise ended up snubbing the Blues to pen a new long-term Palace contract.
The winger's current terms at Selhurst Park run until the end of the 2026-27 campaign, although there have been conflicting reports whether Olise's renewal includes a release clause after Chelsea triggered his previous £35m option.
© Reuters
Regardless of exit clause uncertainty and his fitness problems this season, Olise is still thought to be on the radar of a handful of European heavyweights, including Man United.
New Red Devils stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is believed to be particularly keen on bringing Olise to Old Trafford for 2024-25, although Palace head coach Oliver Glasner recently expressed optimism that both the Frenchman and fellow jewel Eberechi Eze would still be at the club next year.
However, a report from 90Min claims that Olise would consider joining the Red Devils if they showed a serious interest in signing him this summer, and Chelsea have no plans to reignite their pursuit.
With Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Raheem Sterling and Mykhaylo Mudryk all battling for minutes on the wings, Chelsea supposedly feel well-stocked out wide and will not be going after Olise again after being threatened with legal action by Palace.
The Eagles did supposedly insert a release clause worth £50m-£60m in Olise's renewal last summer, but the report states that the option is "legally complicated", and the club have therefore not conceded defeat in their efforts to keep the 22-year-old at the club.
Attacking duo to leave to make room for Olise?
© Reuters
Olise's proposed arrival at the Theatre of Dreams would have implications on Erik ten Hag's existing attacking options, some of whom have seriously flattered to deceive during the current campaign.
Anthony Martial's underwhelming season is not entirely his own doing - he has not played since December due to a groin injury - but he also failed to play his way into Ten Hag's good books when fit and is expected to leave when his deal expires in June.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund loanee Jadon Sancho seemingly has no future at Old Trafford while Ten Hag is in charge, but the Dutchman's possible sacking might lead the Englishman to consider a renaissance in Manchester.
Neither Antony nor Marcus Rashford have covered themselves in glory this term either, and the former has also been tentatively linked with an exit, but Rashford should stay put.
Antony capped off a bright performance against Burnley with the game's opening goal on Saturday, but the Clarets then fought back through a Zeki Amdouni penalty to effectively dash Man United's hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Ben Knapton
