Manchester City outline strict budget in pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise as Riyad Mahrez replacement

Officials from Manchester City have now outlined a strict budget in their pursuit of Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise, according to reports.

Txiki Begiristain – the Manchester City sporting director – alongside his high-ranking colleagues in football-focussed positions at the Etihad Stadium are currently engulfed in a hectic few weeks to finalise Pep Guardiola’s squad ahead of the new campaign.

With Mateo Kovacic being the only fresh face through the door so far, replacing Ilkay Gundogan who left for FC Barcelona, Manchester City are still looking to recruit with more names expected to follow the former club captain and Riyad Mahrez out of the club.

Following the latter’s move to Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, City have felt it necessary to replace the Algerian international with a new face, and a fresh report has revealed the name currently being reviewed by those in transfer-relevant positions at the City Football Academy HQ.

According to the information of The Athletic’s Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee, Etihad Stadium transfer bosses have so far pointed towards Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise in their search for a replacement winger following Riyad Mahrez’s exit last month.

It is stated that the 21-year-old France international ‘fits the profile’ that the Premier League champions are looking for, but Manchester City have a strict budget in place for the potential signing of the wide-forward.

City are said to be unwilling to pay any more than £50 million for Olise, in a fee that is ‘unlikely’ to be accepted by Crystal Palace following their loss of Wilfried Zaha and competition from Chelsea.

As such, while Michael Olise is confirmed to be an option for last season’s treble winners, Sam Lee states that there are ‘far from any guarantees’ that a deal will happen for the player in the weeks that remain this summer.

It remains unknown who Manchester City’s other options will be in the transfer market, should they be unsuccessful in their pursuit of Olise, or even decide against turning their interest into anything concrete involving the south London club.

One such possibility is that Pep Guardiola will look to make use with the options currently at his disposal, which could see the likes of Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden utilised more often in the wider roles, despite the plan being for the latter in particular to operate more centrally this season.

Cole Palmer could also offer more depth in the wide positions, despite the original plan being for the England under-21 starlet to spend the forthcoming season out on loan to further develop his game at senior level.