Manchester City have missed out on transfer target Michael Olise after he signed a new contract with Crystal Palace.
City are in the market for a new right-sided winger this summer after the £30m sale of Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahly.
While Pep Guardiola does already have options in his squad – namely Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer – he is keen to bring in another offensive weapon.
City have been linked with Stade Rennais’ Jeremy Doku and Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, but the latter won’t be making the move to Manchester any time soon.
Olise commits future to Palace
On Thursday Palace confirmed that Olise has signed a new four-year contract with the club.
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Chelsea were leading the race to sign the France U21 star, having reportedly activated the £35m release clause in his contract on Tuesday.
However, City were still keen on the winger.
Addressing the news, Palace manager Roy Hodgson told reporters:
“It’s the best possible news we could have. The decision has been his.
“I had a long chat with him when the subject was first broached but that was in pre-season. I suggested that being at Crystal Palace would be the best option but I also made it clear I wouldn’t put him under unnecessary pressure.”
Olise scored 11 goals and provided two assists as Palace finished 11th in the Premier League table last season, and is regarded by Hodgson as one of Palace’s most ‘important’ players.
Had City signed the Frenchman, he would have been unavailable for selection for at least another couple of months.
Olise injured his hamstring while playing for France at the U21 European Championships in June.
City will now focus their efforts on Doku, who they remain confident of signing despite interest from West Ham and Tottenham.
Stade Rennais are demanding a fee of around £50 million.