Arsenal must move fast to beat Manchester United to ‘one of the outstanding young players in the Premier League’

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As two of the biggest and best-supported football clubs in the world, Arsenal and Manchester United will always strive to sign the best players.

Over the years, the Gunners and the Red Devils have locked horns in the transfer market as well as on the pitch (and occasionally in the tunnel).

And even though Arsenal are slightly ahead of Man United at present, it doesn’t take much for the tables to turn. And good recruitment is obviously key to raising and maintaining standards.

Ahead of the summer transfer window, there has been speculation linking Arsenal and Manchester United with a 22-year-old deemed one of the Premier League’s ‘outstanding young players’.

The player in question is Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise, a player who has received no end of plaudits in recent months for his heroics on the pitch.

How could Arsenal get the edge on Manchester United for Michael Olise?

Back in January, talkSPORT spoke of how Man United’s ‘hopes of a free run at a summer move’ for Olise had been scuppered by interest in the likes of Arsenal.

As well as the Gunners and the Red Devils, the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea are also said to be in pursuit of the young Frenchman.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Man United haven’t actually got going in pursuit of Olise, which could be interesting for the Red Devils’ rival suitors.

When asked if Man United will move for Olise first this summer, Romano told CaughtOffside: “I can’t guarantee that. I am still waiting to see what Man United will do in terms of direct contact.

“In terms of interest, he is one of the players on their list, but they’ve not started yet concrete contacts to advance this deal. It is obviously early, it is still March, but the interest is there.”

Admittedly, it is still early, but when it comes to laying the groundwork, clubs will work throughout the year in order to get the edge on rival suitors.

And with a player of Olise’s quality, you can’t hesitate in doing this. So if Arsenal move fast, they could well get in ahead of their competitors in pursuit of the player.

What has been said about Arsenal and Manchester United target Michael Olise?

We’ve all seen what Olise can do in the Premier League, and he has been winning so many plaudits in recent years.

For instance, Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison said on Sky Sports News in 2022: “This kid’s got it all… he’s a tremendous talent.

“He’s got everything… him going forward, he’s one of the outstanding young players in the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, Gary Lineker said on the Rest is Football podcast in February: “(Eberechi) Eze and Olise. They are fabulously talented.

“I had lunch with Steve Parish last week actually. He was extolling the virtues of Michael Olise, saying that he thinks he is going to be a very, very special talent and I wouldn’t disagree with him.”

And Micah Richards said, also on the Rest is Football: “When he leaves (Palace), if he picks the right team where he’s allowed to express himself, he’s going to be a superstar. He’s that good.

“I remember watching him at the Etihad a couple of seasons ago. It’s not just his dribbling, it’s his decision-making – when to lay off the ball and his first touch is sublime. Yeah, he’s going to the very top.”