Curtis Davies will be “very surprised” if Michael Olise is still playing Championship football next season as Liverpool, Leeds United and Aston Villa eye the Reading star, speaking to Sky Sports, via GetReading.
While the Royals’ promotion charge has stalled of late, they will always be in with a chance as long as this teen sensation continues to strut his stuff.
At the age of just 19, Olise has established himself as one of – if not the – most talented central midfielders in the second tier; the creative hub at the heart of Vladimir Paunovic’s exciting Reading side.
According to EuroSport, the biggest clubs in Europe, including Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, are queuing up to sign Olise in the summer.
And Davies, whose Derby County side were on the wrong end of an Olise wonder goal over Easter weekend, is fully expecting the flowing Frenchman to be playing top-flight football in 2021/22.
“If (Olise) is in the Championship next year I’d be very surprised, whether it’s with Reading or whatever,” said the former Aston Villa and Hull City ace.
“He needs to go because this lad has got so much ability. His individual ability to take the ball past people, to run with the ball, close feet, (he’s got) everything.
“I’ve been so impressed by him. When Reading came to Derby at the start of the season they ran away with the game and he was massive. He has grown and grown as the season has gone on.
“I know there will be lots of people out for him and Reading should be delighted they have got him.”
With Reading falling short in the play-off race, the phrase ‘enjoy him while you can’ springs to mind.
Crystal Palace and Leeds have also been linked with a man whose skill, vision and energy makes him tailor-made for Bielsa-ball (Sun). Olise is expected to cost £10 million.
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