Report: Crystal Palace star could become Jim Ratcliffe’s first major signing

According to reports in The Mirror and the Standard, Manchester United’s new investors could be set to sanction a summer move for Crystal Palace’s French winger Michael Olise.

The 22-year-old signed a new contract with the Eagles last summer following interest from Chelsea and will be available in the summer for €60 million thanks to a new release clause in his contract. A move for Olise in January is unlikely as Manchester United need to balance the books with possible financial fairplay charges hanging over them.

Olise will not be short of potential suitors in the summer as his form over the last season and a half has been sensational. The young Frenchman, who was formerly on the books at Manchester City, moved to Reading in January 2020 making 73 appearances for the Royals. He signed for Crystal Palace and has played 80 games for the Eagles in all competitions.

His form since returning from a hamstring injury in November has caught the eye of many and it now seems that INEOS will sanction a move for him in the summer.

The right wing position has been a problem for United and they have spent big in the last few seasons trying to solve this problem. Antony was signed for €95 million while Jadon Sancho and Amad Diallo moved to Manchester United for  €85 million and €21.3 million respectively. Bridges between Sancho and Erik ten Hag appear to have been permanently burnt and Antony finished the calendar year of 2023 with 1 goal and 2 assists in 33 premier league games. Looking to find a permanent solution to the right wing problem looks like a clever place to start to try to get United’s tepid attack firing.

Red Devil Armada’s verdict:

Michael Olise is undoubtedly a top notch Premier League standard player, which United found out to their cost last season when he fired in a stunning free-kick in the 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. He is a ready-made, young Premier League winger, available for €35 million less than United paid for Antony. If Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to help Manchester United turn a corner, Olise is exactly the type of signing that would help to do that.

Due to the release clause in his contract, he would be available at a reasonable and fair price which would prevent the now anual embarrassment of overpaying for players. He has proven himself at this level and is a player still some years from his peak seasons. It would be money well spent in a position that needs attention.