Transfer Centre

Man United 'to hold concrete talks with Crystal Palace star in coming weeks'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 09 May 2024

Man United 'to hold concrete talks with Palace star in coming weeks'

Manchester United reportedly plan to hold concrete discussions with Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who scored twice against the Red Devils on Monday night.

Manchester United reportedly plan to hold concrete discussions with one of the jewels in the Crystal Palace crown in the coming weeks.

The Red Devils were torn to shreds in a 4-0 beatdown on the Eagles' Selhurst Park turf on Monday evening, where France Under-21 international Michael Olise scored a brace.

The former Reading attacker firstly benefitted from shocking Man United defending to open the scoring, receiving Daniel Munoz's throw-in just inside the United half, skipping past Casemiro and firing low into the bottom corner as the visitors' defence backed off.

The Munoz-Olise combination also worked a treat in the second half, as the former robbed the dilly-dallying Casemiro of the ball close to the Red Devils' box and laid off Olise, who fired a stunning strike past Andre Onana.

The 22-year-old's outing against Man United was just his 17th appearance of an injury-hit season, but he has directly contributed to 13 goals in that time, nine of his own and four assists.

Crystal Palace's Michael Olise during the warm up before the match on April 21, 2024 © Reuters

Olise 'open to Man United move'

A move to Chelsea appeared to be on the cards last summer when the Blues triggered the release clause in his previous contract, but Olise ended up snubbing the West London giants and agreed new terms with the Eagles.

The France Under-21 international is now contracted to Oliver Glasner's side until the summer of 2027, although his terms reportedly still include a release clause of around £60m.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano - via The Sun - Man United are now set to step up their interest in Olise and will begin "concrete" discussions with Palace in the next few weeks.

Olise would apparently be open to leaving Selhurst Park for Old Trafford in the summer window, although Man United may also have to fend off interest from Italian giants Juventus to land his services.

The former Reading winger has now come up with 15 goals and 23 assists in 88 matches for the Eagles across all tournaments since leaving Reading in 2021, where he commanded just a fee of just £8m.

Which Man United attackers could leave to make room for Olise?

Manchester United attacker Jadon Sancho on July 22, 2023 © Reuters

Olise's proposed arrival at the Theatre of Dreams would certainly precede or succeed an exodus of out-of-favour wingers, starting with Jadon Sancho, whose time back at Borussia Dortmund has been a success.

It still remains to be seen if the German side can stump up the financial package to re-sign him permanently, but Sancho apparently has no interest in returning to Old Trafford regardless of the future of Erik ten Hag, whom he publicly fell out with at the start of the season.

In addition, there is not thought to be any way back for Mason Greenwood, who was loaned out to Getafe after seeing all criminal charges against him dropped and has not played for the Red Devils since January 2022.

Two Premier League sides have supposedly made enquiries about the former England international, who was supposedly set to be re-integrated into the team last year before Man United reversed their decision due to major backlash.

Appropriate bids should also be considered for £85m Ajax signing Antony, who has not lived up to his price tag at Old Trafford and has been outshone by teenage starlet Alejandro Garnacho this term.