A week after Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson said he expects top clubs to come calling for star player Michael Olise, it has emerged that one of Europe's big hitters are sniffing around.
The 21-year-old forward, who has two goals and nine assists in 34 Premier League appearances this season, has been one of Palace's standout performers, especially in recent weeks.
As a result of his superb form, Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly looking at Olise, 21, as they prepare for life without one of their key players, Lionel Messi.
Messi is expected to leave the Parc des Prince when his contract expires at the end of the season, with the Argentine being heavily linked with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.
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It is, of course, almost impossible to replace a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner but according to the Daily Mail, PSG are looking to 'reconnect with their fanbase and recruit young French players'.
Olise, who has made four appearances for the France U21 team, is said to be one of those players on the club's radar as they look to bring in a centre-back, holding midfielder, striker and two wingers.
Palace signed Olise from Championship side Reading in the summer of 2021 for a reported £8 million.
If PSG follow up on their interest with a bid, expect a far bigger sum that they originally paid. In fact, HLTCO host Dan Cook thinks the Premier League side should be looking at a fee of around £60-70 million if they do sell up.
He said: "It's very difficult, isn't it? Because you look at Michael, a jewel in our crown, but ultimately someone that we've signed with the intention of selling at some point in the future for an astronomical sum of money.
"I think we paid roughly 8 million pounds to sign him from Reading, which in the fullness of time has looked like an absolute bargain from our perspective.
“But if PSG are serious about taking Michael off our hands, then you've got to be looking to 60, 70 million pounds potentially, once the entire deal is shaken out.
"And if we can do that, then it is very much part of the business model, you know to buy low and sell high.
"And it might not be the most positive news story you will ever hear in relation to Crystal Palace. But as I've said throughout the last 12 to 18 months, we as a fan base have to get used to this as the long-term project us.
"You know, we need to manipulate the market in a way that suits us."
Thoughts on PSG's interest in Michael Olise? Would he be a good replacement for Lionel Messi?
Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Michael Olise, Crystal Palace, Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi
Jack Kenmare