CRYSTAL PALANCE
A new replacement for salah amist january transfer
Liverpool are closely monitoring Crystal Palace sensation Michael Olise, sources have told Football Insider.
The Merseysiders’ recruitment team have dispatched top scouts to regularly watch the 22-year-old, who scored a brace in Saturday’s (30 December) 3-1 Premier League win over Brentford.
Liverpool are assessing the Frenchman as a potential attacking target as they assess the market for long-term replacements for 31-year-old Mohamed Salah.
Saudi Arabia wants the Egyptian superstar to be the Pro League’s marquee star and, while he is expected to stay at Anfield in the January window, a summer move is highly likely.
Olise is the subject of strong interest from top Premier League sides after making a triumphant return to action following a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the opening three months of the campaign.
He penned a four-year deal at Palace in August following offers from the likes of Chelsea and Man City.
Olise opted to remain at Palace even after the Blues activated the tricky winger’s reported £35million release clause.
Intriguingly Liverpool have been closely following Olise’s progress for five years, ever since he made his Reading debut as a preciously gifted 17-year-old.
He has shone in multiple roles including as a midfielder, in the number 10 role, wide on both flanks and even as a centre-forward or false nine. This season, he has been used predominantly as a right-sided forward cutting in on his favoured left foot.
The Eagles would expect to make a huge profit should he depart after he moved to Selhurst Park from Championship side Reading in the summer of 2021.
The £8million man has since emerged as one of the south London side’s top talents after bagging 11 goals and 20 assists across 80 appearances.
His injury blighted the opening stretch of his campaign but he has since notched four goals and one assist in his last four outings for Roy Hodgson’s side.
Sources also told Football Insider (29 December) that Palace have held talks with former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper but he faces competition from ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.
The Eagles moved up to 13th in the Premier League table after their home win against the Bees.
League leaders Liverpool next welcome Newcastle United to Anfield on New Year’s Day.
