Man Utd target's 'stance' on Old Trafford transfer as £60m release clause detailed

Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of Michael Olise with reports suggesting the winger would be 'open' to such a move.

United are known admirers of Olise, who is enjoying another excellent campaign at Crystal Palace despite missing a large period with injury issues. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has identified the 22-year-old as a key target for the summer as the Ineos chief attempts to stamp his authority on the club in what will be his first transfer window as co-owner.

Olise is on the radar of other top clubs, namely Liverpool and Chelsea, but Football Transfers reports that a move to United would be the Palace star's preference. He rejected a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer after Mauricio Pochettino's side activated his £35million release clause, instead signing a new four-year contract with his current club.

That deal also included the insertion of a release clause which will become active in the summer, with the report suggesting it will now cost potential suitors £60m. Ultimately, if multiple clubs activate that clause then it will be up to the player and so United could see themselves as favourites to land a move.

Six goals and three assists places Olise as one of Palace’s most dangerous players despite having missed 21 of his side’s 32 matches across all competitions. The French under-21 international has the same amount of goal contributions as Antony, Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellistri and Anthony Martial combined.

Right-wing will be a priority area to strengthen this summer after what has been a disappointing campaign from the current crop of talent. Antony is now the only natural option but has just one goal to his name all season, which came in the FA Cup win over League Two outfit Newport County, while Sancho and Pellistri are both out on loan and unlikely to make inroads into Erik ten Hag's long-term plans.

Alejandro Garnacho has been pushed across to the right in recent weeks and while the 19-year-old is still United's most consistent attacking threat, his preference is clearly to come in from the left. Marcus Rashford is similar and so a natural option will be of interest come summer.

Should United opt against a move for Olise, then the report also names Marcus Edwards of Sporting CP as a potential alternative. The 25-year-old is expected to cost significantly less, with the valuation sitting around £35m, and has caught the eye under the excellent manager Ruben Amorim.