Crystal Palace Star Chooses European Giants As Exit Edges Closer

Michael Olise has chosen Bayern Munich as his next club despite interest from Premier League sides Newcastle United and Chelsea after an impressive league campaign where he scored ten goals to help the Eagles to a top-half finish for the first time since 2015. 

The 22-year-old has become one of the most sought-after stars outside the Premier League’s top sides after returning 36 goal contributions in 82 appearances over three campaigns in the top flight.

All-Round Excellence Brings Olise to the Attention of Big Clubs

The France under-21 international was hampered by injury problems in 2023/24, missing the first three months and a further two months in February to accumulate just 19 appearances.

His ten goals helped Crystal Palace steer clear of the relegation zone and into the top half after picking up nineteen points from the final seven games.

The former Reading player displayed his talents with the Royals in 2020/21, which convinced then-manager Patrick Vieria to sign the talented youngster.

Olise was named in the Championship team of the year and was crowned the EFL Young Player of the Season after 19 goal involvements in 44 second-tier outings.

Olise has progressed his game year-on-year and is arguably one of the most creative players in the Premier League.

His ability on the ball is clear to fans who have watched him keep Palace in the top-flight and he ranked second behind just Eberechi Eze for dribbles, shots and key passes per game at Crystal Palace.

His work-rate off the ball sets him apart from several elite players in the same role.

The players match-winning displays against Brentford, Sheffield United and Manchester United stand out as world-class displays from a player who is ready to move on and play for a club at the highest level.

Bayern Munich Preferred Destination Despite Long-Term Chelsea Interest

David Ornstein of the Atheltic has exclusively revealed that Olise has chosen to join Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich despite interest from Eddie Howe’s Newcastle and the long-standing interest from Chelsea.

The Blues had thought they had secured the winger’s signature before he signed a four-year deal to remain with his current club in last summer’s transfer window.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Michael Olise has chosen to join Bayern Munich. #FCBayern among 3 clubs (+ Chelsea / Newcastle) to contact Crystal Palace last week & now expected to agree deal with #CPFC for 22yo winger, whose contract includes release clause @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/xy2LCR92kE

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 21, 2024

Olise will compete for a place with the likes of Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Jamal Musiala at Bayern Munich and may find it difficult to become a regular initially.

Chelsea and Newcastle could have given him a greater chance to display his skills with guaranteed star player status but the Magpies did not qualify for Europe next season and Chelsea had to settle for a place in the Europa Conference League after Manchester United won the FA Cup.

Bayern can offer the winger a chance to play on the biggest stage of them all in the Champions League and potentially a place in the French national team, which has eluded him to date.

The deal likely means that the German giants will activate his release clause which is rumoured to be in the region of £60 million. The deal would be in line with other major arrivals to the Bavarian club in recent years with the likes of Harry Kane, Matthijs de Ligt and Min-jae Kim arriving for big money over the last couple of years.

Kompany will be hoping that the signing of Olise can bring Bayern back to the top of the domestic league, having just finished in third, 18 points off the unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen.

They also have not reached a final in the Champions League since 2020 but have been in the mix over the past four seasons, reaching at least the quarter-finals on each occasion.

Kompany will need to strengthen in other areas, including central midfield and potentially a backup to star forward Kane.