Manchester United’s leadership is reportedly not unanimously in favor of Michael Olise, Crystal Palace’s winger, as they seek to bolster their forward line in the upcoming summer transfer window. The 22-year-old has become United’s primary target, particularly with the struggles of Antony in the current campaign, making Olise a crucial prospect for Erik ten Hag.
Currently, Erik ten Hag favors Alejandro Garnacho on the left side following Antony’s underwhelming performances. The Red Devils are encountering challenges in this position as neither Amad nor Facundo Pellistri has proven to be of the desired standard for United.
Recent weeks have seen heightened discussions about Olise’s potential move to Manchester United, with ESPN reporting that a trade might involve United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Wan-Bissaka, who joined United from Palace in 2019 for £50 million, could become part of the negotiations.
Despite Olise rejecting a move to Chelsea and committing to a new four-year contract with Palace last summer, the anticipation is that he may be free to depart this summer as Crystal Palace undergoes a revamp.
Speculation has also arisen about Olise potentially moving to Liverpool, and Chelsea remains interested in the versatile winger who was previously associated with Manchester City.
However, not everyone at Manchester United is convinced that Olise is the ideal choice. Concerns have been raised about past experiences, such as Wilfried Zaha’s difficulty adapting to the demanding environment at United and Wan-Bissaka not living up to his high price tag.
The upcoming summer is expected to be busy for Manchester United, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe anticipating approval from the Premier League by mid-February to oversee the football department of the club.
Ratcliffe, the founder of INEOS, reached an agreement to purchase a 25% share in the team late last year. He was present for the recent 2-2 draw between Tottenham Hotspur and the media and expressed his excitement about being part of the club’s future.
Responding to inquiries about the ratification of the agreement, Ratcliffe mentioned, “Early to mid-Feb,” expressing enthusiasm but also acknowledging his limited exposure to United matches since his arrival. As the summer transfer window approaches, the dynamics surrounding Michael Olise’s potential move to Manchester United add intrigue to the club’s evolving football landscape.
