Liverpool and Arsenal are among a host of clubs reportedly keeping tabs on Reading youngster Michael Olise ahead of a potential summer transfer.
According to a report from Football Insider, Reading FC starlet Michael Olise is a man in demand heading into the summer transfer window with Premier League giants Liverpool and Arsenal among a number of clubs monitoring him.
Olise, 19, started out at the Manchester City academy and spent time in the Chelsea youth ranks before switching to Reading’s setup in 2015. The attacking midfielder made rapid strides during his time with the Royals’ youth sides, eventually breaking into the first-team in March 2019. Since then, Olise has racked up 64 appearances for Reading, producing a return of 5 goals and 12 assists.
However, it is the ongoing campaign during which the youngster has made everyone sit up and take notice of his abilities, having managed five goals and ten assists in 35 Championship outings, thus establishing himself as one of the finest young players in England’s second division.
Olise’s exploits in the current season, coupled with his contract situation has led to him becoming a hot commodity ahead of the transfer window. Indeed, the 19-year-old will be entering the final year of his deal with Reading at the end of the term and the youngster has knocked back any attempts of talks over an extension.
Add to it, Olise is said to have a release clause of just £8 million in his contract, making him quite an attractive prospect for a host of clubs, including Liverpool and Arsenal along with Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur as well.
Liverpool’s lack of creativity from the centre of the park is a well-known issue. So, adding someone like Olise who is not only capable of creating chances but versatile enough to play in a multitude of positions could work well for Jurgen Klopp & co.
Arsenal, too, have had creative issues for large parts of the campaign. In Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe, Mikel Arteta seems to have found a combination that is finally working. Nevertheless, Odegaard is only on loan at the club and even though the Gunners want him permanently, the Norwegian will not come cheap.
In that scenario, someone like Olise could prove to be a handy acquisition. Able to play for both England and France, the youngster has represented the latter at the U-18 level twice. It now remains to be seen whether either Liverpool or Arsenal launch a move for the teenager or he ends up joining some other club altogether.
