EXCLUSIVE: Olise wants Arsenal move over Man Utd

Steve Kay

• Updated: 4 Jan 2024 21:58 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Arsenal remain interested in Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise and the France U21 international prefers a transfer to the Gunners over the possibility of going to Manchester United, FootballTransfers can confirm.

Mikel Arteta is a long-term fan of Olise, who has been linked with a move to Man Utd in the summer.

Although the 22-year-old signed a new contract with Palace midway through 2023, there is a release clause in that deal that comes into effect after the current season is over. This is reportedly around the €70 million (£60m) mark.

Having come back from a hamstring injury in November, Olise has enjoyed the form of his life this season. He has scored five times in just nine Premier League appearances and has contributed either a goal or an assist in each of his last four games.

FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal could potentially make a January move for Olise but would need to make significant sales first and the likelihood is that this is a deal for the summer.

A source close to the deal has indicated that Olise would “very much prefer a move to Arsenal over Manchester United”.

This is similar to the stance of Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who wants to join Arteta's side ahead of Chelsea, even if a deal in January looks unlikely due to the Bees' high asking price.

Olise a lifelong Arsenal fan

Born in London, Olise grew up an Arsenal fan and was close to signing for the Gunners before joining Chelsea’s academy in 2009. Indeed, he even played a few matches for the academy team of the Emirates side.

Any deal for Olise will not have an impact on Arsenal’s chase to sign Pedro Neto from Wolves, FootballTransfers has been told.

Neto is one of Arteta’s big transfer targets, ideally for January but if not for the summer.

Indeed, the manager is planning a positional change for Olise and sees him as a potential attacking midfielder in the future, spelling the end for Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe at the north London side.