'Smart' - Journalist impressed by behind-the-scenes news from Palace involving 'fearless' star

Crystal Palace are being ‘smart’ in offering Michael Olise a new contract, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke. 

Signed for £8m from Reading last year (BBC), the exciting attacking midfielder has enjoyed a stellar first season in the Premier League.

Having made a successful breakthrough into Patrick Vieira’s side this term, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Chelsea have all since been linked with a move for the 20-year-old.

Although Olise is under contract until 2026 (Transfermarkt), David Ornstein has recently reported for The Athletic that Palace are set to offer improved terms to the French youth international in order to stave off potential suitors.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke praised the move from Palace and said that chairman Steve Parish is right to be entering negotiations with Olise at this juncture.

The journalist explained: “It’s a smart piece of business by Parish and Palace because they are just protecting their assets.

“They took a chance on Olise when signing him from Reading last summer and he’s been a revelation for Crystal Palace. He looks like a really impressive player and is still young.”

Getting the France youth starlet to put pen to paper on a new deal would be a real feather in the cap for the Eagles this summer, particularly if the club can renegotiate an existing reported £35m release clause.

So far this season, Olise has scored four times and provided nine assists in 32 appearances across all competitions, starting 12 Premier League games and earning a 6.91 average Sofascore rating in the process.

Capable of playing in a variety of attacking midfield positions, the youngster was dubbed ‘fearless’ by former Reading team-mate Sam Baldock following a standout display against Nottingham Forest in