Liverpool are weighing up whether or not to enter the race to sign a Premier League winger.
The Reds are being linked with a number of players as the January transfer window swings into action. Highest on the agenda is said to be a new centre-back, with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Ko Itakura one of those linked.
Another position in need of some attention is defensive midfield. To that end, Liverpool are reportedly keeping a close watch over Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup. But according to Football Transfers today, the Reds are also starting to explore the market for a forward. They claim that Liverpool are ‘considering an approach’ for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.
Olise is also said to be attracting interest from Manchester United, with the Reds and the Red Devils set to ‘engage in a tussle’ for the 22-year-old.
Any such fight will reportedly have to wait for the summer, with Olise set to stay at Selhurst Park until the end of the season. However, when the time comes, it’s claimed that the France U21 international has a release clause of £60m inserted into his contract. Palace are said to be adamant that this be paid in full.
It remains to be seen just how highly Liverpool value Olise. But the Reds reportedly see the former Reading man as a ‘strategic’ addition for the right-wing and a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool weighing up Olise approach
You can understand why Liverpool would be keeping an eye on Olise’s progress at Crystal Palace.
Since arriving in 2021, the Frenchman has been on an upward trajectory. That has culminated in an excellent season so far, with five goals in just nine Premier League games.
This has culminated in Brentford boss Thomas Frank calling Olise – as well as teammate Eberechi Eze – “two fantastic offensive players, two of the best in the league in my opinion” [The Telegraph].
Frank’s praise came on December 30th, as Olise put his Brentford side to sword with two goals.
It was the kind of performance which showed why Chelsea were so keen to sign him last summer. But with a deal seemingly almost done, Olise pulled out and penned a new contract with Palace instead [The Guardian].
As a result, it would make sense for that new deal to include a release clause. £60m sounds a little high to us for the time being, but if Olise can keep delivering throughout the second-half of the season, then it may start to look more attractive.
Whatever happens, Liverpool won’t be scared of doing battle with United, should it come to that. Olise only has to look at the example of Jadon Sancho to see what happens when you pick Old Trafford over Anfield.
In our opinion, the Palace man still has a fair bit to do to show that he can cut it at Anfield. But he’s certainly one now worth keeping a closer watch over.
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