As we search for a backup for Bukayo Saka, it’s been challenging to find someone both talented enough to fill his shoes and willing to be an understudy. We’ve considered Pedro Neto, but tensions with Wolves and his injury history make that transfer difficult. So why not look at Michael Olise? Crystal Palace seems open to selling, making a potential swoop for him feasible.
Rumors suggest interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, but neither can offer Olise Champions League football, unlike Arsenal. Olise reportedly has a £60m release clause applicable only to Champions League clubs, which could help us avoid a bidding war despite their financial strength. Activating his release clause would allow us to negotiate directly with him.
Olise, like Saka, is just 22. Despite hamstring injuries limiting him to 19 appearances, he still managed 10 goals and 6 assists. While I won’t claim he’d double those stats in 38 games, he did contribute 16 goal involvements for a team that scored just 57 goals, accounting for 28% of Palace’s total. This kind of ingenuity could be invaluable on our right wing.
One of our urgent needs is cover for Saka. Even with Havertz’s rise, our attack flows through Saka. Prising Olise away from Palace for £60m would be a smart move, giving us a home-grown, Premier League-proven talent. For the sentimental, Olise signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in 2009 at just seven years old. He’s not a Hale End product, but there’s still a connection.
Would Olise accept a reduced role at a bigger club offering Champions League play and a chance at silverware? That’s hard to say. I respect players like Jamie Vardy who stick with their clubs, but if Olise wants to move to a bigger stage, Arsenal is a strong option. His other suitors, Manchester United and Chelsea, are struggling and embody many issues in football today: short-term fixes, excessive spending, and prioritizing marketing over competitiveness.
If Olise wants to elevate his game and compete against the best, Arsenal would be an excellent destination.