Michael Olise is heading for the Olympics with France – but England remain hopeful that they could yet snatch him away from Les Bleus, HITC understands.
Olise has emerged as one of the Premier League’s top prospects this season with Crystal Palace.
The 22-year-old was the subject of a huge big from Chelsea last summer, but rather than moving to Stamford Bridge he signed a new long-term with Palace- although that did include a release clause – worth in excess of £60million.
A host of clubs are showing an interest in Olise, but it is not only in his club career where he could soon have some big decisions to make.
Despite being born in London – 22-year-old pledged his future to France in 2019 when he opted to play for their Under-18 side in the famed Toulon Tournament.
Olise chose France, despite also being available for England, Algeria and Nigeria.
Olise has gone on to represent France at Under-21 level and was considered an outside prospect to make their Euro 2024 squad – but he did not make the cut and has been informed that they plan to include him in their Olympic squad for the home games later this year.
Despite his commitment to France, until he plays a competitive senior game for Les Bleus – he is still eligible to feature for other nations, including England.
England still hold out hope of picking Michael Olise
And HITC understands that the Football Association have not given up hope that Olise could yet be persuade to play for The Three Lions – in the future, likewise neither have Nigeria and ahead of the World Cup finals in 2026, they could make a fresh move.
Should as expected Olise represents France at the Olympics in July, it would disrupt his Premier League preparations as the final takes place a week before the Premier League season is due to start.
“On the one side I would smile because we always want the best for our players,” said Glasner when asked about Olise’s possible Olympics journey.
“That they can play such a tournament is great for them personally, but for the manager’s heart it is bleeding because we want our players [for pre-season]. With the Euros, with the Copa America, we have players not available for at least the first three weeks, maybe four weeks, of pre-season, but you can ask all the clubs; they all have the same issue.
“We’ll see what happens, [but] we have to give the players a rest whenever it is, whether he’s nominated for the Euros, whether he plays, whether he’s nominated for the Olympics and if he wants to go there; we have to give them some rest whenever it is.
“It’s our responsibility, but at the moment, he (Olise) was not nominated for the Euros and he has six weeks off like everybody else. Then we’ll see what happens with the Olympics.”
The post Exclusive: Michael Olise targeted for major switch even if he stays at Crystal Palace appeared first on HITC.