Manchester United eyeing summer move for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise - Paper Round

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a summer move for Michael Olise and are prepared to pay a significant release clause to get the Crystal Palace winger.

Olise recently signed a new contract at Selhurst Park, but, according to a report in the Standard, the “new £100,000-a-week deal includes a release clause that comes into effect in the summer”.

The 22-year-old has scored five goals in seven Premier League since returning from a hamstring injury in November, including four in his last four matches.

The Standard say: “Manchester United are interested in making Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise one of the first signings of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era at Old Trafford.

“A move for Olise has been ruled out in January but United have identified the 22-year-old as a transfer target ahead of a planned overhaul of their squad at the end of the season.

“Olise signed a four-year contract at Palace in August but his new £100,000-a-week deal includes a release clause that comes into effect in the summer.

“The size of that release clause is unknown but it is likely to be significantly more than the £35million release clause in his previous Palace contract.

“Olise is viewed as a player who could help revitalise United’s woeful attack.

“Jadon Sancho could be sold as part of a major summer shake-up, Anthony Martial is out of contract at the end of the season and £82m Antony continues to struggle.”

Former Chelsea striker Timo Werner “could be open” to a loan move to Manchester United.

RB Leipzig are reportedly willing to allow the 27-year-old to leave the club on a short-term deal, with the Germany international yet to find his best form, scoring just two league goals this season.

“Timo Werner could be open to a return to English football with Manchester United,” an article in the Mirror reads.

“RB Leipzig striker Werner, 27, is on United’s shortlist of potential January deals as they look to bolster their squad in the transfer window. They have also been offered Bayern Munich ’s former Stoke striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting who is another strong possibility as Erik ten Hag looks for more firepower.

“Werner won the Champions League with Chelsea and could relish the chance to prove himself again in English football and the opportunity to regain form and full fitness. RB Leipzig, pushing for a Champions League place in the Bundesliga, are likely to allow Werner to go out on loan as long as he moves to a club where he would start regularly.

“Werner has been held back by niggling injuries this season and has scored just two league goals but has struggled to hold down a regular place. United are keen on signing a striker to improve their options and make a push for a Champions League place in the second half of the season.

“United boss Erik ten Hag is desperate for more firepower but knows that the club are hamstrung financially as they are close to their spending limit for January. That means they are having to scour the loan market and are ready to let players go with Borussia Dortmund targeting Jason Sancho for a loan switch.

“United striker Rasmus Hojlund has managed just one Premier League goal while Marcus Rashford has also suffered a dip in form. That has prompted United to look at the market for a loan signing with Werner among their options.”

Liverpool target Leroy Sane has “changed his mind” about signing a new contract with Bayern Munich, according to the Mirror.

The Bundesliga giants are said to be desperate to tie Sane to the club, as his contract is due to expire in 18 months’ time.

The in-form Sane has scored nine goals and registered nine assists so far this season.

A report in the Mirror reads: “There was an expectation that Sane would be putting pen to paper a new deal imminently. Things appear to have now changed though, with doubts growing that Sane will in fact remain at the Bundesliga giants, or if he will assess him options in the summer.

“According to BILD, Sane now wants to wait until after this summer's European Championships before making his decision. If he enjoys a successful tournament, it is expected several suitors will grow interested in the former Manchester City star.

“That would then make a possible extension more expensive for Bayern to complete. Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has already approached Sane's agents in the hopes of securing an extension, though it appears he will have to wait.”

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