As the January transfer window reaches its midway point, Liverpool appear unlikely to engage in any deals.
Throughout the month, the Reds have been linked with several players. Speculation surrounding Caoimhin Kelleher’s future persists, with reports suggesting that Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson is the latest target to replace him.
Another player frequently linked in recent days is Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise. Amidst discussions of Liverpool contemplating the activation of the 22-year-old’s £60m release clause in the summer, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has dropped fresh claim on his current situation via KICK.
“Olise to Liverpool?” began the journalist, after being asked to comment on the situation by fans.
“Guys, Olise is going nowhere in January. This is the feeling at least today. In the summer, it could be different it could be different because he has a release clause. So, in that case, the story could be different for Olise.”
Olise to Wait Until Summer
To be just, the speculations concerning Olise and Liverpool had consistently seemed to revolve around the upcoming summer.
Considering the substantial nature of his release clause, there is a degree of skepticism about whether Palace will recover the complete amount.
Undoubtedly, should Liverpool be the ones securing him from Selhurst Park, they will attempt to negotiate a reduction.
As witnessed in the previous summer, Jorg Schmadtke has a penchant for mandatory transfer clauses. The Reds’ sporting director activated them for the signings of both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Typically, these fees must be paid upfront in a single installment. Consequently, the club might prefer to reach an alternative arrangement with Palace.
While it’s certain that Liverpool won’t have an uncontested pursuit of Olise, his standout performance at the age of 22 for the Eagles is catching the attention of various European powerhouses.
Olise possesses the rare quality of being a top-notch, left-footed right winger, making him a coveted prospect for many of Europe’s elite clubs.
Considering Liverpool’s perspective, the strategic thinking is evident. The talented France U21 star emerges as a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah’s prominent role. Keep a close eye on Olise during the latter part of the season, as there’s a possibility he could don the Red jersey in the 2024/25 season, though not without competition.
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