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Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Michael Olise who is set to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park…
THE LOWDOWN: EXCITING YOUNG TALENT
Olise has established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the Premier League.
He earned a move to Crystal Palace after a brilliant campaign with Reading, scoring seven and providing 12 assists in the Championship last year.
The Eagles secured his signature by triggering an £8m release clause. A piece of business that may have left a number of Premier League rivals wondering why they did not do the same.
Reports emerged earlier this year that the Gunners wanted Olise having failed to sign him before his move to Selhurst Park followed by a report in the Times, which claimed that 20-year-old is thought to have a release clause of just £35million in his initial contract.
THE LATEST: IN TALKS
Journalist David Ornstein took to Twitter on Monday morning to share his report from The Athletic regarding Olise’s situation at Selhurst Park.
He posted: “EXCL: Crystal Palace in talks with Michael Olise over new contract. Agreement close. Extra year likely but no salary increase. Aim is to raise release clause (£35m) to ensure future sale breaks #CPFC record (£50m) & that would benefit all”.
The likelihood is that the agreement is only extended by 12 months and that the player’s salary will stay the same, but Palace’s main objective is to increase Olise’s release clause.
They want to take it past the £50m mark, potentially setting up a club-record departure. The 20-year-old would like to stay at Selhurst Park, and discussions between the two parties are nearly complete, with an agreement potentially being reached before the summer transfer window opens on 10 June.
THE VERDICT: BIG BLOW
The one-time France international has settled in at Selhurst Park brilliantly, earning many admirers with his direct, skillful dribbling and pinpoint crosses.
After scoring twice and creating five more so far this season in the Premier League, as well as grabbing two more goals in the FA Cup and creating a further three, Olise has rapidly become one of the division’s most exciting young products.
He has recorded more assists (eight) than anybody else in Patrick Vieira’s squad, while only Wilfried Zaha (16) and Conor Gallagher (13) have registered more goal involvements than his 12.
Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider that the 20-year-old has only started 12 Premier League matches. As per Transfermarkt, he’s either scoring a goal or setting one up every 120 minutes on average.
The £19.8m-rated attacker is a ‘special talent‘ according to his manager, and he plays with ‘effortless confidence’ in the words of podcaster Dan Cook.
Therefore, it must be a huge blow for Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal faithful to hear that Palace are moving swiftly to try and ward off prospective suitors with an increased release clause.
AND in other news, Arsenal dealt potential transfer blow for £58.5m-rated ace, ‘secret meetings’ held…
