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.
Ratcliffe has been given total control of football operations by the Glazers under the terms of his £1.03billion deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in United, and the INEOS billionaire is pressing ahead with plans to overhaul a disastrous transfer strategy at the club.
Sir Dave Brailsford is leading an audit of the transfer structure at United, which will take time, but potential summer targets are starting to be identified behind the scenes.
Olise is viewed as a player who could help revitalise United’s woeful attack.
Erik ten Hag’s side have scored just 22 goals in the Premier League this season, fewer than every team except bottom two Burnley and Sheffield United.
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
Olise could provide a fresh creative spark.
The 22-year-old has scored five goals in seven Premier League starts since returning from a hamstring injury in November, including four in his last four matches
