Manchester United have received a new update on Crystal winger Michael Olise, who has been heavily linked with a summer move to Old Trafford.
There will be lots of pressure on United in terms of recruitment this summer. For many years we’ve played our hand appallingly in the transfer market.
From struggling to sell players to missing out on the manager’s targets. These have been problems for 10+ years, with the Glazers deserving most of the blame.
Only time will tell if new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his crew can change things for the better at United.
United to overlook Olise?
David Ornstein is a journalist known to most football fans because he is incredibly reliable. In his latest update on Olise, The Athletic reports that the Palace winger is only likely to leave for one of the Champions League clubs.
That could rule out United but it’s worth remembering that there’s a Champions League clause in Olise’s contract, which is why Chelsea’s attempts to sign him last summer never materialised.
United were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage this season and Erik ten Hag’s side currently sit seventh in the Premier League.
Ornstein wrote: “If Olise leaves Crystal Palace in the upcoming window, I expect it would only be for one of the small number of most prominent Champions League clubs.
“He is said to be an intelligent and thoughtful player who knows exactly what level he can reach and will be clear in deciding if, where and when it is right for him to move.
“Like with his previous contract, there is thought to be a release clause in the fresh terms he signed after the Chelsea saga. So clubs will have a decent idea of what they need to do to get him.
“To my knowledge, there have been no meaningful developments so far but obviously there’s a good chance that changes in the coming weeks and months.”
The biggest concern with Olise is injuries and United have had too many players out with knocks throughout the season. A track record of three muscle injuries doesn’t bode well ahead of an expensive summer switch.
That’s why I think we will see Olise’s camp brief messages to the press about their client preferring moves to the likes of Arsenal over United. It could be simply a matter of United not being interested in taking a risk on an injury prone player.
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