Crystal Palace starlet Michael Olise reportedly has a release clause of £35m in his contract at Selhurst Park which could tempt other clubs to swoop for the 20-year-old winger this summer.
What’s the story?
As confirmed by Football London sources, the Frenchman could leave south London after just one season if the Eagles were to receive a bid of around £35m this summer.
With the wide man’s stock as one of the English top-flight’s most exciting youngsters rising, Palace should certainly be concerned that a bigger club may look to swoop for Olise, with Arsenal mentioned as an outfit interested.
Supporters will be infuriated
Having joined Patrick Vieira’s side for £8m from Championship outfit Reading last summer, the 20-year-old is already looking like a bargain with four goals and eight assists in 31 appearances for Palace.
Thus, after the excitement of signing one of the EFL’s most exciting talents last summer, Palace supporters will certainly be concerned that the “fearless” talent – in the words of Sam Baldock – could leave Selhurst Park after just one season.
It took a while for Vieira to fully integrate the £19.8m-rated youngster into the first team, making brief cameos off of the bench at the start of the season.
However, Olise has since started 12 Premier League matches whilst also scoring vital goals in the Eagles’ run to the FA Cup semi-final.
Is Olise worth more than £35m?
With Wilfried Zaha approaching 30 and Conor Gallagher set to leave at the end of his loan spell, Palace could certainly do with another source of goals and in the 20-year-old, not only is there serious talent but there’s exciting potential too.
Therefore, it is imperative that Vieira assures the winger that he will receive more game time next season in an attempt to keep him in south London for at least another year.
Granted, the Eagles would’ve been fully aware that eventually, Olise would be subject to serious interest from a bigger club, however, to lose the forward for a fee of £35m, which isn’t colossal in today’s market, after just a year will infuriate supporters.
AND in other news: Lost the ball every 2.4 touches: Palace flop who lost 63% duels let Vieira down again
