Leeds, Liverpool learn that ‘best player in Champ’ has bargain exit clause
Reading midfielder Michael Olise could be lured away from the Madejski Stadium for a relatively low fee in January, it has emerged.
Winger Olise has been in sparkling form for the Royals, playing a huge role in their rise to the top of the Championship.
Olise, 18, was already been tracked by Arsenal, Leeds and Wolves.
But sources close to TEAMtalk at the weekend revealed that Merseyside giants Liverpool and Everton along with Chelsea and Manchester City have all been watching him closely in recent weeks.
Interestingly Olise spent time with Chelsea and City as a youngster, before joining Reading.
Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Monaco and Napoli have also shown an interest in a player, who many scouts believe is the best prospect outside the Premier League.
Olise has just over 18 months left on his current deal at the Madejski Stadium and the club are aware of the mounting interest.
Now, according to the Daily Express, Reading face a renewed battle to retain his services in January. That’s after it emerged that the France U18 international has a release clause of just £8m.
Reading are desperate to tie Olise to a new deal. However, they look vulnerable to his exit should he reject their efforts to pin him down.
That exit fee sets a modest bar for Premier League clubs to reach and it would be a surprise were someone not snap him him in January.
Olise made his first-team debut for Reading in 2019 and has now registered 30 appearances. Last month, he scored his first goal in professional football.
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Leeds interest in Argentina striker emerges
Leeds United made a summer approach to sign Lucas Alario, the Bayer Levekusen striker has himself revealed.
After spending just over £70m, Leeds made four eye-catching signings ahead of life in the Premier League.
Rodrigo Moreno was the biggest of their deals. The Spain striker cost Leeds a club-record £27.2m when switching from Valencia.
He has one goal to his name so far, but has largely impressed in a slightly-deeper role. Rodrigo, however, missed Monday’s defeat to Leicester and has since confirmed he has tested positive for coronavirus.
However, it has now emerged Leeds also had other irons in the fire, having also asked about Alario.
The player has confirmed their approach in an interview with TyC Sports. As per the interview, he states Leeds did not quite get round to making a concrete bid. That is preumably after they received the green light from Valencia to pursue a deal for Rodrigo.
“I had no contact nor did I speak with Marcelo [Bielsa]. I know about the rumour because my representative told me, but it was only an approach,” the striker commented.
