PSG eye Premier League star with two goals ‘to replace Lionel Messi’

Lionel Messi caps brilliant year with FIFA The Best success

French giants Paris Saint-Germain are eyeing a transfer bid for Premier League star Michael Olise – who has scored just two goals this season for Crystal Palace. PSG are looking for a replacement for seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi after suspending the Argentinian for travelling to Saudi Arabia on an unauthorised trip.

Neymar could also leave the French side this summer amid reports the club’s Qatari owners want to move their transfer strategy away from buying the world’s best stars to instead begin investing in young talent for the future. Despite spending millions on recruiting a team of superstars, PSG have yet to win the Champions League title they desire and are set to change direction this summer.

The Evening Standard have reported that 21-year-old London-born Olise has been identified as a summer transfer target to replace Messi and Neymar. The attacking midfielder, who can play as a winger, impressed on his way through the ranks at Reading before being bought by Palace for £8million and given a five-year deal in July 2021.

Olise has dual-nationality due to being born in England to his Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother – meaning he can play for any of the four countries. Despite all his domestic football so far being in England, the youngster has played for France at under-18 and under-21 level, so could welcome a move to PSG.

After impressing this season Olise has also been linked to a move across London this summer to play under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. Despite his plaudits, in his first season of Premier League football Olise has scored just two goals from 33 appearances for Palace.

However, the 21-year-old has provided nine assists and is seen as a prized asset for Palace. Boss until the end of this season Roy Hodgson was asked if there was worry that Olise might attract transfer interest this summer. He replied: “If I was [chairman] Steve Parish I would be.”

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However, a lack of goals is an issue for Olise, but boss Hodgson believes the youngster is capable of finding the net more regularly. He added: “He needs to get more goals. He’s got goals in him. But all the time he’s producing those goals, we’re more than happy with him.

“He’s another player I see getting better in terms of doing things we want him to do.” Meanwhile, several Saudi Arabian clubs are said to have shown interest in acquiring Messi’s services next season. The Argentine could also return to Europe and could possibly re-join former club Barcelona.

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