£35m Man City target would have to wait two months for his debut

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Manchester City are interested in signing Michael Olise, despite the fact that the attacker faces two months on the sidelines.

City are looking to add a new right winger to Pep Guardiola’s squad following the departure of Riyad Mahrez.

City wanted to keep hold of the 32-year-old Algerian but allowed him to leave after Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli met their £30m asking price.

While the likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Cole Palmer can play on the right side of attack, Guardiola is keen to bring in a new face to bolster his options.

Top of City’s list of targets is Michael Olise, who enjoyed an excellent 2022/23 campaign with Crystal Palace.

The 21-year-old winger provided 11 assists and scored two goals in 37 appearances last season as his side finished 11^th in the Premier League table.

Olise reportedly has a £35m release clause in his Palace contract, and is wanted by Chelsea as well as City.

Olise unavailable until October

The Athletic have reported that Palace are yet to receive any official offers for the attacker, and that could be due to his current injury status.

Olise sustained a serious hamstring injury while representing France at this summer’s U21 European Championship in Romania and Georgia.

The winger – who spent time in Chelsea’s youth system – tore his hamstring when he collided with Norway’s goalkeeper.

Olise scored the only goal of the game but was helped off the pitch by two members of France’s medical team.

The Palace star has since undergone surgery but was ruled out of the entirety of pre-season.

Due to the severity of the injury, it’s unlikely he will be able to feature in a competitive match until October.

MCN view: City should tread with care

City have signed injured players in the past – Ilkay Gundogan joined the club in 2016 while still recovering from a dislocated knee.

However, for Olise to suffer such a serious hamstring tear at just 21 is concerning. Such injuries can become recurring issues, as Barcelona have found out with Ousmane Dembele.

City will weigh that up before making a move.