As The Pitch Prospect has learned, Crystal Palace are already planning to replace Michael Olise with a player who can be “even better”.
The Eagles have agreed to sell one of their star players to Bayern Munich this summer after activating the 21-year-old striker’s £60 million release clause.
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This is a setback for the London club, who had finished the Premier League season on a high note and in whose strong run Olise played a major role.
Despite missing much of the season due to injury, the French Under-21 international still managed ten goals and six assists in 19 appearances and Palace won six of their last seven league games.
But it seems that there is not all bad news for fans, as another talented star is on the way to following in Olise’s footsteps.
That is the view of former Palace star Darren Ambrose, who revealed some insider information on The Pitch Prospect on Sunday.
“I have contacted one of my sources at Crystal Palace,” said the The Pitch Prospect presenter.
“They said the club had a replacement in mind who could potentially be better than Olise in the long term.”
On the Olise deal, Ambrose said he and other Eagles fans were very disappointed to lose one of their crown jewels, but acknowledged that the deal was fine for both the club and the player.
“This step is right for everyone involved,” he said.
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“He had a £60m release clause – I was told only Champions League teams could invoke that clause and that is Bayern Munich.”
“I think Reading will get £7 or £8 million of that, which is great for them, they need that.
“And he’s not staying in the Premier League and I think that while Crystal Palace fans will be disappointed to see him move on, it’s a benefit that he’s out of the Premier League and won’t be playing against them next season.
“I would have liked to see him stay another year to learn a bit more of his craft, but if those big clubs come calling… and he’s good enough, he’s good enough to play in a Champions League-level team.”
Ambrose adds that Palace cannot afford to let any more of their key players go this summer, especially after a strong end to the season under Oliver Glasner which has seen some expect the Eagles to break into European leagues next season.
“For Crystal Palace, the sale of Olise is enough,” he added.
“They must now try to keep Eberechi Eze. There will of course be interested parties for him because he is an outstanding player.
“And if they already have a replacement for Olise, then you have to trust Dougie Freedman and the powers that be. He has an eye for a player – Adam Wharton for £18m, Eze for £20m, Olise for just £8m.
“To go home with basically £50m after Reading got their money is good business. It’s disappointing but it’s good business and Olise will do well there.”