Man Utd in pole position to beat Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool to Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise

Manchester United have emerged as front-runners to sign Michael Olise, should the young winger opt to leave Crystal Palace this summer.

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• INEOS view Olise as key to United rebuild
• Frenchman believed to have release clause
• Lack of Champions League football not an issue

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to ESPN, the Red Devils’ new leadership group headed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe views Olise as a key target for their planned summer rebuild. Youngsters Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are reportedly the only three players guaranteed a first-team place at Old Trafford next season, following a sub-par campaign which has seen many of Erik ten Hag’s attackers struggle – Marcus Rashford and Antony in particular. United have scored just 52 top-flight goals this term, the joint-lowest total in the top 10 alongside Bournemouth.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Olise, who is enjoying his best scoring season in Palace colours with seven goals from 16 Premier League appearances, could be acquired for a fairly reasonable price. The 22-year-old reportedly has a release clause in his new contract – which was signed just last August – said to be worth between £50 million and £60m.

  United are also not deterred by the fact they will very likely be unable to offer Champions League football to Olise, unlike transfer rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Chelsea, who will also be unable to offer Champions League football for next season barring a minor miracle, are rumoured to still be in the race for Olise’s signature – and the Blues thought they had wrapped up a deal for the France youth international last summer. The West London outfit triggered the forward’s £35m release clause in his previous contract only for the deal to collapse at the last minute due to a technicality.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR OLISE?

  Olise will look to inflict more away-day misery on his potential future employers on Monday evening as United make the trip to Selhurst Park to face Oliver Glasner’s in-form Eagles. The ex-Reading flyer scored and assisted on his previous home Premier League start, the 5-2 victory over West Ham. Olise famously netted a sensational stoppage-time free-kick when Palace hosted United last season, the fantastic left-footed effort cancelling out a 44th-minute opener from Bruno Fernandes.