According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United are rekindling their interest in Crystal Palace star Michael Olise this summer.
Newcastle are fully focused on their quest for European qualification as they climb up the Premier League table in their few remaining fixtures left in the current campaign.
The Magpies are currently sixth, with three games left to collect a maximum of nine points to secure their spot in the Europa League next season, hoping to push away their competitors, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Eddie Howe will feel a weight is lifted off his shoulders should his side qualify for Europe, as the last nine months have been full to the brim with controversy and an unbelievable injury crisis that left the manager with barely a starting eleven to put together at times.
As a result, the summer will be a much-welcome opportunity to strengthen the squad on Tyneside, and the club will need to get to work fast to identify the players they want to acquire and who in the squad can be sold, as they attempt to improve under the constraints of their Financial Fair Play obligations.
It has been reported this week that Newcastle have rekindled their interest in Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, and will compete with Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, who all also appreciate the player, as per the Daily Mail.
Although it is claimed that Olise wants to move for Champions League football, the Magpies are hoping to tempt the talented star with the ambition of the project in the North East, as Newcastle are keen to win many major trophies and compete inside the top four of the Premier League regularly.
Will Newcastle sign Michael Olise?
There is no doubt that the France U21 international is a hot prospect that would thrive in the clinical and deadly attacking threat at St James’ Park, but is signing a winger the most pressing priority for Newcastle?
Both Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman have ACL injuries that will keep them out of action until at least the turn of the year which is incredibly frustrating for Howe, as a centre-back signing will definitely need to be made in the summer.
Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy, Miguel Almiron and Elliott Anderson are all capable of performing on the right wing, suggesting that Olise’s potential arrival on Tyneside would require the club to sell at least one attacking player over the summer, as they are currently stacked with goal threats.
Nevertheless, the 22-year-old has been incredibly impressive since Oliver Glasner took charge at Selhurst Park and has been an absolute nightmare for defenders – scoring nine goals and registering seven assists over just 17 Premier League appearances so far.
Not only that, Olise ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues shots on goal and shot-creating actions, as well as ranking in the top 15% for passes attempted, successful take-ons, interceptions and blocks per 90 minutes played, displaying his impressive ball-winning qualities and direct approach alongside his goal contributions.
With that being said, it will be interesting to see as to whether Newcastle will put themselves in a position to compete with rivals for Olise’s signature this summer or focus on positions with more pressing issues to address.
