Arsenal are said to be interested in signing Michael Olise from Crystal Palace, after the wonderkid burst onto the Premier League scene last term.
That was according to the Daily Mail, who claimed that Mikel Arteta wanted to bring the France Under-21 international to the Emirates Stadium after his superb debut campaign in England’s top-flight.
However, the Gunners will now be kicking themselves as a rumour emerges from Crystal Palace.
Arsenal miss out on bargain from Crystal Palace
Well, when joining the south Londoners from Reading in an £8m deal last year, Olise’s representatives negotiated a £35m release clause into his contract.
That represented a bargain in waiting for Arsenal.
Olise has taken the Premier League by storm, scoring four goals and providing eight assists in all competitions last term. His £35m price tag was a snip for such a precociously talented 20-year-old with his best years still to come.
However – according to The Athletic – that release clause is no more.
It is said that Crystal Palace have recognised how risky it was to have that clause active in their No.7’s contract, and have successfully moved to get it written out of his terms.
Now, Arsenal – and any other interested parties – probably face a much larger fee if they want to lure Olise away from SE25.
Arsenal should’ve bid for Crystal Palace gem
Over the summer, it was clear that Arteta wanted an alternative to Bukayo Saka on the right flank.
The Athletic believe there was strong interest in Raphinha – who eventually joined Barcelona for £55m – with Arsenal even making a bid for the Brazil international.
In our view, if the Gunners were happy to get involved in a bidding war of £50m upwards, it would’ve been wise to trigger Olise’s £35m clause after learning that Raphinha was heading to Barcelona.
Now, that clause is no more, and Arsenal will surely kick themselves for failing to act.
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