Manchester United’s rumored interest in Crystal Palace’s England-Nigerian rising star, Michael Olise, has received a cautionary note from former Red Devils and Leeds United striker Alan Smith, Goal reports.
Smith believes that pursuing Olise might lead to a repeat of the mistakes made with Wilfried Zaha, urging United to be cautious in their recruitment strategy.
Despite Olise’s impressive performance in the Premier League, having scored five goals in nine games this season, Smith emphasizes the importance of considering a player’s experience at a big club.
Drawing parallels with Zaha’s move from Crystal Palace to Old Trafford in 2013, a transfer that didn’t unfold as planned, Smith warns against hastily signing players without a proven track record in a high-pressure environment.
In an interview with Smith stated:
“For Man United not to get Champions League this year, everyone will see as a big problem, but if you’re gonna rebuild, make sure that the structure is correct and you’re buying the correct personnel. We aren’t just buying someone for this transfer window, we are buying them for five years.”
Smith emphasizes the need for meticulous research into a player’s personality and whether they have experience at a club with expectations and standards similar to Manchester United. Expressing concern about repeating the Zaha scenario, he urges the club to focus on the long-term future rather than making short-term decisions driven by immediate needs.
The 22-year-old Olise, who has been linked with other top English clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool, reportedly has a summer release clause of €70 million. According to Transfermarkt the player’s current value estimates at €50 million.
With the January transfer window deadline looming on February 1, potential suitors have a limited time to secure a deal for the France under-21 international. If an agreement is not reached by then, a bidding war could ensue during the summer transfer window for the talented winger, who has been sidelined for much of the season due to a hamstring injury.
