Man Utd in pole position to beat Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool to Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise

Manchester United have emerged as front-runners to sign Michael Olise, should the young winger opt to leave Crystal Palace this summer.

WHAT HAPPENED?
According to ESPN, the Red Devils’ new leadership group headed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe views Olise as a key target for their planned summer rebuild. Youngsters Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are reportedly the only three players guaranteed a first-team place at Old Trafford next season, following a sub-par campaign which has seen many of Erik ten Hag’s attackers struggle - Marcus Rashford and Antony in particular. United have scored just 52 top-flight goals this term, the joint-lowest total in the top 10 alongside Bournemouth.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Olise, who is enjoying his best scoring season in Palace colours with seven goals from 16 Premier League appearances, could be acquired for a fairly reasonable price. The 22-year-old reportedly has a release clause in his new contract - which was signed just last August - said to be worth between £50 million and £60m.
United are also not deterred by the fact they will very likely be unable to offer Champions League football to Olise, unlike transfer rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.
DID YOU KNOW?
Chelsea, who will also be unable to offer Champions League football for next season barring a minor miracle, are rumoured to still be in the race for Olise’s signature - and the Blues thought they had wrapped up a deal for the France youth international last summer. The West London outfit triggered the forward’s £35m release clause in his previous contract only for the deal to collapse at the last minute due to a technicality.

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WHAT NEXT FOR OLISE?
Olise will look to inflict more away-day misery on his potential future employers on Monday evening as United make the trip to Selhurst Park to face Oliver Glasner’s in-form Eagles. The ex-Reading flyer scored and assisted on his previous home Premier League start, the 5-2 victory over West Ham. Olise famously netted a sensational stoppage-time free-kick when Palace hosted United last season, the fantastic left-footed effort cancelling out a 44th-minute opener from Bruno Fernandes.

WHAT HAPPENED?