Liverpool make Michael Olise ‘priority’ transfer target as Mohamed Salah plan takes shape

Michael Olise is a ‘priority’ transfer target for Liverpool this summer, according to a new report. This is a potentially significant development as plans are put in place for Mohamed Salah.

Since arriving from Reading, Olise has shone for Crystal Palace and is putting up some truly world-class numbers in a mid-table side. According to FBref, his 0.64 per 90 penalty goals over the past year puts him in the 99th percentile of attacking midfielders and inside midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues. Notably, the number of expected assists is also in the top percentile.

Arne Slot is believed to love the wings and while Olise isn’t necessarily in the explosive mold of some of the men at Feyenoord, Liverpool’s new-look recruitment team, built by Michael Edwards, will find it hard to ignore such numbers. After all, there is something distinctly reminiscent of Salah in the way the Frenchman can combine world-class goals with game-changing creativity.

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It is Leeds Live who are reporting Liverpool’s interest in Olise. She claims that while the Reds were the first movers for Leeds United star Crysencio Summerville – a compatriot of Slott’s and perhaps a classier winger – they have now moved on to the Crystal Palace ace.

Olise is where Liverpool’s “transfer priority” lies, having kept a “close eye” on him for a long time. That could in turn affect Summerville’s future, with Palace potentially looking to reinvest funds in their pursuit of the winger.

In a parallel development, Football Insider reports that Liverpool are looking for a long-term replacement for Salah. Such a player is expected to be “in the building” soon.

Salah’s short-term future has become clearer recently. The player’s social media activity has indicated that he intends to be at Liverpool next season, which fits with reports that the Reds have no intention of losing him.

Liverpool may even sit down with Salah to discuss a new contract. But any such discussions will take place on the understanding that the Egyptian is turning 32 and will therefore need to be replaced sooner or later.

Getting a Salah replacement now, with at least a year to learn from him and integrate into the team without as much pressure, seems like a smart move, typical of Edwards’ first spell at the club as sporting director. And Olise looks like the perfect candidate.

Liverpool.com says: This would be an extremely interesting development. Olise is not allowed to post the kind of numbers he managed at a team like Crystal Palace, even if Oliver Glasner has somewhat ignited their attacking spark.

Still only 22, he looks like he could be one of the true stars of the future. The only slight concern is a pair of medium-term hamstring injuries over the past two seasons, but in terms of pure talent, Liverpool have been unable to find a long-term heir to Salah.