Liverpool are closely monitoring Crystal Palace sensation Michael Olise, sources have told Football Insider.
The Merseysiders’ recruitment team have dispatched top scouts to regularly watch the 22-year-old, who scored a brace in Saturday’s (30 December) 3-1 Premier League win over Brentford.
Liverpool are considering the Frenchman as a potential attacking target as they look for long-term successors for Mohamed Salah, who is 31 years old.
Saudi Arabia wants the Egyptian sensation to be the Pro League’s flagship figure, and while he is anticipated to stay at Anfield in January, a summer transfer is extremely plausible.
Olise has piqued the interest of several Premier League clubs following his triumphant comeback to duty following a hamstring injury that kept him out for the first three months of the season.
Following approaches from Chelsea and Manchester City, he signed a four-year contract with Palace in August.
Olise opted to remain at Palace even after the Blues activated the tricky winger’s reported £35million release clause.
Intriguingly Liverpool have been closely following Olise’s progress for five years, ever since he made his Reading debut as a preciously gifted 17-year-old.
He has shone in multiple roles including as a midfielder, in the number 10 role, wide on both flanks and even as a centre-forward or false nine. This season, he has been used predominantly as a right-sided forward cutting in on his favoured left foot.
The Eagles would expect to make a huge profit should he depart after he moved to Selhurst Park from Championship side Reading in the summer of 2021.
The £8million man has since emerged as one of the south London side’s top talents after bagging 11 goals and 20 assists across 80 appearances.
His injury blighted the opening stretch of his campaign but he has since notched four goals and one assist in his last four outings for Roy Hodgson’s side.
Sources also told Football Insider (29 December) that Palace have held talks with former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper but he faces competition from ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.
After beating the Bees at home, the Eagles moved up to 13th in the Premier League table.
On New Year’s Day, league leaders Liverpool will host Newcastle United at Anfield.
In other news, the Crystal Palace striker signing strategy has been exposed.
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