Premier League boss slaps 'minimum' £50m price-tag on Man Utd target after standout performance

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder believes a summer move for Michael Olise would cost 'minimum £50million' amid ongoing links to Manchester United.

Olise was the standout player on Tuesday night as Crystal Palace beat the Blades 3-2 at Selhurst Park. The 22-year-old twice set up teammate Eberechi Eze before curling a wonderful winner past Wes Foderingham.

Despite missing a large chunk of the season through injury, Olise is now on six goals and three assists in the Premier League and that form has attracted the interest of several top clubs, including United. But a move for the French under-21 international will not come cheap and Wilder expects his price-tag to rise above £50m come summer.

"We could have done with Olise having a few more days off and making sure he was properly ready for the weekend but that's the challenge you're up against," Wilder said of the Palace star on Tuesday evening. "You want to play against the best players as well. 

"When they find those moments that we’re trying to find, it makes it a difficult evening. We're up against, what are we saying, minimum £50million? I’m not sure [Palace sporting director] Dougie [Freedman] and the Crystal Palace board would even accept £50m for both of those players [Olise and Eze] so you have to deal with that. It's what the Premier League is about."

Recent reports have suggested that Olise would prefer a move to United over other suitors, including Chelsea and Arsenal. The former of those two looked set to land the winger in the summer after activating his £35m release clause, but were left surprised when he rejected the opportunity and signed a new four-year contract in August.

That deal is also expected to contain a release clause that will become active in the summer, albeit one significantly more than the initial £35m. United are in the market for attacking reinforcements, following another campaign where goals have been an issue for Erik ten Hag.

Their total of 24 is better than only Burnley and Sheffield United in the Premier League, with Scott McTominay still the top-scorer in that competition on five goals. United sent Jadon Sancho on loan to Borussia Dortmund this month and the winger is unlikely to return, as long as Ten Hag is in charge.

Anthony Martial is also expected to leave in the summer once his contract expires. Facundo Pellistri is set to join Granada on loan and has fallen down the pecking order.