Home Football Arsenal remain interested in Crystal Palace winger and the France U21 international prefers a transfer to the Gunners over the possibility of going to Man Utd

Arsenal remain interested in Crystal Palace winger and the France U21 international prefers a transfer to the Gunners over the possibility of going to Man Utd

Football — 01/05/2024

Michael Olise, a winger for Crystal Palace, is still a target for Arsenal, and FootballTransfers can disclose that the France U21 international would rather join the Gunners than perhaps join Manchester United.

Manchester United want Michael Olise to become one of the first signings of Jim Ratcliffe era | Independent.ie

Mikel Arteta has been a longtime admirer of Olise, who is rumored to be joining Manchester United this summer.

Despite signing a new contract with Palace midway through 2023, the 22-year-old’s agreement contains a release clause that takes effect at the end of the current campaign. This amounts to approximately €70 million (£60 million).

Football rumours: Man Utd eye swoop for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise - Offaly Live

After recovering from a hamstring injury in November, Olise has been playing at his best this year. In his nine Premier League outings, he has scored five goals, and in his past four games, he has either scored or assisted.

FootballTransfers is aware that Arsenal may try to get Olise in January, but they would probably need to make some big sales first. As things stand now, this is probably a summer transfer.

According to a person with knowledge of the negotiations, Olise would “very much prefer a move to Arsenal over Manchester United.”

Ivan Toney, a striker for Brentford, has a similar mindset to Arteta’s, wanting to join his team before Chelsea, even if a January transfer seems improbable given the Bees’ high asking price.

Olise a lifelong Arsenal fan

Michael Olise, Crystal Palace ProShots – Michael Olise, Crystal Palace

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.

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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.

Read more about: Premier League, Arsenal, Man Utd, Wolverhampton, Michael Olise, Pedro Neto