A summer transfer for Crystal Palace star Michael Olise, according to Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder, would cost “minimum £50 million” given his continued links to Manchester United.
On Tuesday night at Selhurst Park, when Crystal Palace defeated the Blades 3-2, Olise was the team’s best player. The 22-year-old twice set up teammate Eberiche Eze before scoring a sensational winner.
Olise has six goals and three assists in the Premier League despite missing a significant portion of the season due to injury, and numerous elite teams, including United, are interested in signing him.
However, signing the French under-21 international will not be cheap, and Wilder anticipates that come summer, his asking price will surpass £50 million.
“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 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.”
After using his £35 million release clause, Chelsea appeared to be in line to sign the winger in the summer. However, they were taken aback when he turned down the offer and signed a new four-year deal in August.
A release clause—albeit one that is far larger than the original £35 million—is also anticipated to be included in that agreement, and it will go into effect in the summer.
After another year in which Erik ten Hag struggled with creativity and goals, United are looking to bolster their offensive line-up.
