Manchester City target Michael Olise’s release clause of £35 million is still in place, according to a report from The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam. The Crystal Palace winger has attracted interest from Pep Guardiola’s side as a potential replacement for Riyadh Mahrez, who joined Saudi club Al Ahli in a £30 million deal last month.
Manchester City and Chelsea Targeting Olise
Crystal Palace Have Attempted to Renegotiate Release Clause
Manchester City and Chelsea’s interest in the young French international has been confirmed by journalist Fabrizio Romano. Romano’s report stated that a £35 million release clause in the player’s contract was still valid. However, this was disputed at the time by sources at the club, according to Talksport’s Darren Ambrose.
Suggestions were made to the press last season that this clause had been removed, or that the required fee had been increased. However, we now have confirmation from Matt Woosnam that a £35 million bid would be enough to prise the youngster from Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace were in talks with the 21-year-old winger throughout last season to renegotiate and raise the buyout clause, with the South London club wary of losing Olise to other clubs for a cut-price. Palace themselves acquired Olise from Reading after activating an £8 million release clause. However, despite their best efforts, it appears an agreement was not reached.
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Roy Hodgson Faces ‘Fight’ to Keep Michael Olise from Manchester City and Other Suitors
Manager Roy Hodgson told journalists this week “we have a fight on our hands to make sure he stays with us” and admitted that there is a “slight doubt” that the player will stay at the club this summer. Olise provided two goals and 11 assists in 37 Premier League games for the Eagles and was branded a ‘special talent’ by former boss Patrick Vieira.
Michael Olise could be Perfect for Manchester City
Despite a lack of goals last season, there are plenty of reasons for Manchester City fans to be enthused by the young prospect. He has shown an exceptional ability to create chances for his teammates, registering 0.28 expected assists and 4.68 shot-creating actions per 90 last season, placing him amongst Europe’s elite playmakers.
Olise also demonstrates a rare willingness to put in defensive work for an attacker at his age, making 1.90 tackles and 1.51 blocks per 90. His willingness to help teammates and cover full-backs is incredibly valuable for top clubs, as demonstrated by Bernardo Silva’s contributions in City’s champions league success last season.
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Michael Olise Injury Could be a Concern For Clubs
In a huge blow for Palace and potential suitors, the youngster suffered a torn hamstring on international duty for France at the Under-21s Euros in June. The player has undergone surgery for the injury and is ‘”well into rehabilitation” according to Hodgson. The former England boss now faces a headache over the decision of replacing Olise in the lineup, with the wide-man expected to be sidelined until October.
The London club will start next season without club icon Wilfried Zaha, who left on a free transfer to Galatasaray this summer, after nine consecutive seasons at the club. With the Croydon legend gone and their young starlet out for the start of the season, fans will be desperate for players, such as Odsonne Eduoard, to step up in their absence.
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Whether the injury will be enough to prevent City or Chelsea from bidding for the player is yet to be seen. City are also understood to be monitoring Belgian forward Jeremy Doku as an alternative to Olise.
Main Image Credit: Mikey – Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
