Michael Olise could be on the move from Crystal Palace this summer. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United have Michael Olise in their sights this summer, but delaying a decision over Erik ten Hag and his future could end up costing the Red Devils in their pursuit of strengthening the squad.
Ten Hag himself admitted that the United frontline needs to be bolstered over the next few months, despite the big-money additions of Rasmus Hojlund, Antony and Jadon Sancho in recent years.
And under new decision-makers INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Olise has been targeted with the view to restoring United to their former glory.
Olise has been well-admired by United for a number of years and various reports claim that they are prepared to step up that interest and prise him away from Crystal Palace, though they face significant competition as a result of a release clause in the Frenchman’s contract.
That is unlikely to change with Ten Hag set to remain at the United helm. He will even engage in talks with the club over extending his current contract, which expires at the end of next season.
Erik ten Hag’s future was in doubt despite Manchester United’s FA Cup win. (Image: Getty)
But delaying a decision on Ten Hag’s position is likely to have made potential targets wary of giving the green light on a move to Old Trafford up until this point, considering their rivals were able to boast a level of stability that had yet to be achieved on the red side of Manchester.
As Ratcliffe and co deliberated over Ten Hag, Chelsea have made the decision to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino, hired ex-Leicester boss Enzo Maresca, and have already agreed personal terms with Olise.
Work in the transfer market can finally get underway now that Ten Hag is aware of his future at the club, but the Red Devils may already be a few too many steps behind their counterparts at Stamford Bridge.
Such precise decision-making has been a stark contrast to that at Old Trafford and may give Chelsea the edge in their battle to sign Olise.
United will feel that deciding on whether to retain Ten Hag or find a replacement required time. But opting against reaching an outcome in a timely manner has seen their rivals afforded the chance to gazump them in the transfer market and move earlier on the likes of Olise, should they desire to do so.
Instead, United were forced to sit idly and watch their targets view opposing projects with figureheads firmly in place and a more attractive prospect, while Ten Hag’s future was left in limbo.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1909991/Man-Utd-transfer-news-Ten-Hag-Olise