Michael Olise of Crystal Palace was a key target for Manchester United as they looked to kick off their summer transfer window with a major signing.
However, it now appears likely that the talented winger will join Bayern Munich in a £50 million deal.
While the transfer is not yet finalized, there are ongoing rumors that Manchester United and other clubs are making last-minute efforts to hijack the move and lure Olise away from Bayern and their manager, Vincent Kompany.
Despite these efforts, reports indicate that Olise prefers the move to Bayern Munich.
He is expected to sign a five-year contract with the Bundesliga champions, and both clubs are working to finalize the details. As of now, the transfer remains on track.
Time is running out for Manchester United and other interested parties, as the 22-year-old is expected to be in Germany next week to undergo a medical before his transfer to Bayern Munich.
Initially, other English clubs such as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City also expressed interest in Olise.
Chelsea reportedly matched Bayern’s financial offer, but Olise chose the Bundesliga move instead.
Manchester United still faces uncertainty regarding the right wing of Erik ten Hag’s attack. Currently, Alejandro Garnacho occupies that position but prefers the left wing.
Antony, with only 16 goal contributions over two seasons, serves as his backup but has his critics.
Additionally, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood are linked with potential exits, which could necessitate reinforcements.
Sancho has struggled to consistently perform at the expected level since his high-profile transfer from Borussia Dortmund, and Greenwood’s future is uncertain due to off-field issues.
Securing Olise would have significantly boosted Manchester United’s squad depth and quality.
The French winger’s potential and versatility, capable of playing on either flank and contributing goals and assists, make him an attractive prospect for any top club.
However, with Olise seemingly set on joining Bayern Munich, Manchester United must now explore other options to strengthen their squad.
The club has been linked with several other targets and will need to adapt its transfer strategy quickly as the summer window progresses and competition for top talent intensifies.