Crystal Palace prepare to move for Olise replacement
The time has come. After three years of journalists and ITKs alike playing a game of Schrödinger's release clause, Michael Olise is set to join German giants Bayern Munich on a permanent transfer. Crystal Palace fans have dreaded this moment for years - as have members of the Eagles' hierarchy - but unlike with Wilfried Zaha's departure last summer, Palace are prepared this time.
Fans will already be familiar with some of the names on Palace's shortlist to replace Olise: The Palace Way exclusively reported last month of the South London club's desire for Juventus winger Matias Soule, as well as their long-standing interest in Norwegian sensation Antonio Nusa.
Dougie Freedman is keen on these two players, seeing them as talented, direct and versatile forwards with high sell-on value. However, their price tags could be offputting - despite receiving a sum of over £45m for the sale of Michael Olise, Palace are not keen on spending large amounts on individual players.
As always, Palace have a plethora of players on their shortlist who they deem good enough to fill Olise's spot. Norwich midfielder Gabriel Sara could offer a different profile to Soule or Nusa, being a left-footed attacking midfielder rather than a natural winger, and is a proven goalscorer in the Championship.
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There is also a desire for domestic talent. Jobe Bellingham has been the most widely-reported target, however, Palace have also been monitoring multiple young players from the Premier League's "Big Six" that could be going under the radar due to the strength of the squads around them. Cole Palmer's success at Chelsea, after being little more than a bit part player at Manchester City, is an extreme example of what Palace are looking to replicate.
Chelsea forward Omari Hutchinson and Manchester City's James McAtee would both fit this profile, for example.
However, Soule and Sara are the two players thought to be the best options to replace Olise, with the former likely to be the subject of a bid in the coming weeks.
This isn't a matter of a single target who is the be-all and end-all: to be shortlisted is already an indication of how highly rated a player is by Freedman and company.
Regardless of who Palace end up signing, fans don't need to carry the same concern of times passed - there is a plan in place, and the finances to execute it.
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Bruno Collingridge
FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Despite having only watched football regularly since 2016, you won't find someone more passionate about the beautiful game (or Marc Guéhi) than Bruno. He founded The Palace Way to put the skills he learned in the Game Development and Design industries towards something that means the world to him - Crystal Palace Football Club. Outside of football, Bruno is a keen programmer, musician and student.
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