Arsenal are reportedly battling Chelsea, Everton and other big European clubs to sign Crystal Palace wonderkid Michael Olise. A player, that Palace boss Patrick Vieira described as a “really special talent”, earlier this month.
Olise, 20, joined Palace in the summer from Reading for a fee of £8m (Sun) and while it has taken him a while to break into the side – he is starting to shine. He has started four of their last five Premier League games.
Of the London-born star’s 20 appearances in all competitions for Palace this season, he has started just eight – and completed 90 minutes on two occasions. But that has not stopped him scoring four, and creating six goals.
The Sun report Arsenal, Everton, Lille, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all want the London-born winger in the summer window. Speaking of Olise this month, Arsenal icon Vieira said he as much to learn – but is a special talent.
“He’s playing with a lot of confidence at the moment. There’s no doubt about his talent; he’s a really special player. But there’s still a long way to go and a lot to learn,” Vieira told Palace’s website, after a win over Hartlepool.
“He’s making huge progress from when he arrived to six months after – I think he’s a different player. We’ll be really demanding of him because he has the talent to deliver. He will have to work hard to dedicate himself.”
Vieira on Olise: Why Arsenal could be ideal move for Palace star
Nicolas Pepe is expected to leave Arsenal in the summer, as Mikel Arteta continues to remove the players he deems are not part of the new Arsenal. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left in January, Bernd Leno is also likely to go.
Gabriel Martinelli could be used up front, meaning Arsenal’s depth on the wings is small. In terms of Olise, he is the kind of player Edu is looking to bring to the club. Young, with Premier League experience.
Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White joined in the summer and both are thriving. Olise seems to be of a similar talent and calibre to Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe – but it depends on how much Palace want.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
