Aston Villa could activate Michael Olise release clause at Crystal Palace in shock summer transfer
Dan Bardell believes Michael Olise would suit Unai Emery and his system should Aston Villa sign him from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window.
A report by FootballTranfers (8 May) suggested that the Villans were confident of signing the Frenchman ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal.
He is a highly-rated player who has been in superb form in recent weeks since Oliver Glasner came in to manage the South Londoners.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell has named the 22-year-old as one of his dream signings for Villa this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “He’s a player who I think in an Emery system could be useful in three positions, as the support striker, on the right or even on the left where Rogers has been playing.
“Olise ticks a lot of boxes because he can do those three roles. Olise is a fantastic footballer. If you asked me about dream signings, if I could pick one realistic player for Villa to sign in the summer, he’d probably be somewhere near the top of what I’d want.
“He is phenomenal and someone who is ready to make the step up, no disrespect to Crystal Palace, and play European football and probably play Champions League so he would be an unbelievable signing.
“I presume there’s a release clause there with him signing a new contract in the summer. If Villa could get someone like him in it would be an incredible signing because he is a beautiful footballer and so enjoyable to watch. He’s the type of player that Villa don’t really have.”
Should Aston Villa sign Michael Olise?
Given his form in recent weeks, the signing of Olise would certainly get Villa fans excited about the season ahead with him in the squad.
This season he has registered ten goals and five assists despite only being fit enough for 13 starts and a further five substitute appearances [FotMob].
Since the appointment of Glasner, he has scored four and assisted two as Palace have been in top-class form.
He ranks highly for attacking stats such as 5.94 shot-creating actions, 3.56 shots and 0.42 expected assists per 90 this campaign [Fbref].
He will certainly suit an Emery system with his defensive work rate. 1.58 tackles, 0.79 interceptions and 1.32 blocks would make him popular with the Spaniard.
Olise would be comfortable in a variety of positions but there will be question marks over whether he would be needed at Villa Park.
With Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby operating on the right and Rogers comfortable in a variety of positions, plus Emi Buendia’s return. There are a lot of similar players already at the club.
There is no doubt he is a player of high quality, whether he is needed is a separate question.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery mooted to sign Reinildo on a cut-price deal in a tactical approach change.
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