- 18 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal targeting £40m Crystal Palace star Michael Olise
Steve Kay
- Updated: 12 Apr 2023 15:16 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal are interested in signing Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, FootballTransfers understands.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most promising youngsters in the Premier League and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the player.
This season the left-footed Olise has an impressive eight assists in 29 Premier League appearances, plus two goals.
Arteta believes that Olise ticks all the boxes he desires in terms of age, likely cost and resale potential.
Olise is seen as the ideal backup on the right wing to Bukayo Saka.
The 21-year-old’s best role is as a right sided outside forward or winger, but he has also often featured as an attacking central midfielder.
Arteta stated recently how important it is to bring in Premier League-proven players to the club and Olise would fit the bill perfectly here rather than gambling on a foreign-based star like Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby or Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jesper Lindström.
🇫🇷 Michael Olise vs Leeds United:
• 90 mins
• 3 assists
• 6/9 dribbles completed
• 6 key passes
• 4/7 crosses completed
• 10/16 ground duels won
• 3/4 aerial duels won
• 2 tackles
• 2 interceptions
• 9.8 SofaScore rating 🌟
𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 🎨 🤯 pic.twitter.com/6T3kn3C6Da— Matchday365 - Palace (@Matchday365CPFC) April 9, 2023
How much will Michael Olise cost?
Crystal Palace would be looking for at least £40 million for Olise, who still has three years left on his contract.
Palace are thus under no pressure to sell, but if the right offer was presented by Arsenal, and with possible pressure put on the club by the player, it would be hard to turn down.
The France Under-21 international is also an Arsenal fan, which could help the Gunners in negotiations.
There is also reportedly a release clause written into the player’s contract, although this is not confirmed.
The cost of the deal could determine whether this transfer goes further as Arsenal have already shown this year with Mykhailo Mudryk that they won't be extorted.
There is also the possibility that Palace’s asking price will be reduced to around £35m if they are relegated this season. Relegation now seems unlikely, though, after a two-game winning streak under caretaker manager Roy Hodgson.
