Man City ‘willing’ to pay £50m for Premier League star linked with Chelsea & Arsenal transfer

Manchester City have identified Crystal Palace attacker Michael Olise as a potential summer transfer target, according to reports.

The Blues may look to strengthen in the wide attacking areas after allowing Riyad Mahrez to depart the Etihad last week, when he signed for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli in a deal worth up to £30m. Mahrez made 47 appearances for City last season, scoring 15 goals, and will prove to be a big loss for the European champions.

As per The Athletic, ‘Mahrez’s exit means City are searching for a replacement winger’ and the club have identified Olise as their main target. The Palace star is seen as attractive due to his age (21) and the fact he qualifies as a homegrown player.

However, the outlet adds City may be unwilling to pay more than £50m, a price Palace are not expected to accept for one of the league’s brightest young players.

Olise moved to Selhurst Park in 2021 and has made 71 appearances for the Eagles. The Frenchman became an increasingly important figure for Palace last term and, after missing the opening match of the campaign, played in all of the remaining 37 Premier League matches. Olise started in the club’s last 18 games of the season and provided 11 assists, a tally only three players - Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Leandro Trossard - bettered.

However, it was reported by 90min that Chelsea are ‘confident’ they have won the race to sign Olise, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal. In contrast to the The Athletic, 90min add the ex-Reading man could cost just £35m.