The January transfer window has only just opened but Manchester United‘s new owners are already looking ahead to the summer.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team are shortlisting transfer targets having completed their £1.3billion buy-in at Old Trafford.
A report in the Evening Standard named Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise as someone the new United hierarchy are interested in.
Even though the 22-year-old only signed a new four-year contract at Selhurst Park back in August, it is believed to contain a release clause which kicks in this summer.
The precise amount isn’t known but it would likely be a considerable sum as Palace look to protect the value of one of their star players.
Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise has emerged as a transfer target for Manchester United
Erik ten Hag’s (left) ailing side looks like it will need further reinforcement in the summer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) could give the green light for Olise
It’s not hard to understand why Olise, a right-sided winger, represents an attractive proposition.
Having missed the opening weeks of the season with a hamstring injury, he has scored five goals and supplied one assist in nine matches since his return.
Olise will be crucial in Palace’s efforts to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle from their current position of 14th in the Premier League.
One of the many problems United have encountered this season is a lack of end product from their wide attackers and a shortage of service for £72million centre forward Rasmus Hojlund.
Their Brazilian winger Antony, an £85m signing demanded by manager Erik ten Hag in 2022, hasn’t provided a single goal or assist in 21 outings this season.
If United sign Olise, Antony’s status as their first-choice right winger would be seriously threatened.
A comparison of their output in Premier League matches this season, courtesy of FBref, confirms Olise offers far more than Antony.
The Palace winger’s xG [Expected Goals] is 3.0 and his expected xAG [Expected Assisted Goals] is 2.7 compared to Antony’s 1.4 and 2.1 respectively.
Olise trumps Antony in terms of average shots per 90 minutes [3.46 to 2.39] and shots on target per 90 [1.06 to 0.50].
He also creates more chances with 5.85 Shot-creating Actions per 90 minutes to Antony’s 3.48. Olise’s average passes completed figure per game is 36.8 as opposed to 30.7.
Right-sided winger Olise is adept at…