A second source have tipped Arsenal to push to sign a Premier League winger who is also wanted by Man City and being tipped to replace Lionel Messi at PSG.
A lack of strength in depth once again cost Arsenal dearly at the most pivotal point in the season. Last year saw Arsenal slip out of the Champions League places in May, while this season saw Man City overpower the Gunners as they marched towards a fifth title in six years.
Injuries to William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu thrust Rob Holding into the spotlight at centre-half. Arsenal failed to keep a single clean sheet in the six matches he started before being dropped for Jakub Kiwior who fared no better.
Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka once again faded badly down the stretch, returning just one goal and one assist in the nine matches prior to Sunday’s final day clash with Wolves.
Saka’s primary back-up is Reiss Nelson who looks poised to sign a lucrative new contract. However, when it mattered most, Arteta did not have enough faith in Nelson to give Saka a much-needed rest.
As such, links with a higher profile right winger have come to the fore, with the Sun recently claiming Arsenal are sizing up Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise.
The 21-year-old has been a revelation for Crystal Palace this season. The France Under-21 international has hit double figures for assists (10) in a team that are not known for finishing off the chances they create.
Now, a second source in Spain (as cited by Goal) has echoed the Sun’s claim Arsenal are readying a move for the ‘outstanding’ Olise. However, they also put Man City in the frame too.
It’s revealed both English sides are ‘willing to make an economic effort to ensure his signing’. In other words, they’re prepared to back up their interest with a firm offer.
To that end, the Sun cited a £40m valuation, while the new report lists a slightly more modest €40m (approx. £35m) figure.
There’s a complication for Arsenal and City, however, with the Daily Mail recently reporting Olise has a huge admirer in the form of PSG.
Both Messi and Neymar look certain to leave PSG this summer. The pair are on colossal salaries, with the Mail claiming Messi alone will free up £740,000-per-week from the wage bill.
To kickstart a bright new era, additions at centre-back, holding midfielder, striker and on the wings are wanted this summer. Per the Mail, Palace flyer Olise is one player PSG will target for the wide berths.
Olise speaks French through his French-Algerian mother and has already racked up four caps for the France Under-21 side.
The wideman clearly doesn’t lack for heavyweight interest with City, Arsenal and PSG all in the mix.
However, there has been speculation he’ll opt to remain at Selhurst Park for at least one more year to ensure his development isn’t stunted by warming the bench elsewhere.
But with a second source confirming Arsenal’s interest, it at least looks like the Gunners will pose the question.
