Sir Jim Ratcliffe may be denied dream Man Utd signing because of in-form Serie A star

Manchester United could lose out on signing Michael Olise with Juventus reportedly ready to offer highly-rated starlet Matias Soule to Crystal Palace in exchange for the Frenchman. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is claimed to have made signing Olise one of his top priorities ahead of the summer transfer window.

Olise has shone for Crystal Palace since joining from Reading for just £7.5million in the summer of 2021. However, the 22-year-old has endured an injury-hit season at Selhurst Park and is onto his third absence of the campaign.

A hamstring problem has limited his impact this term, a frustration given he turned down a move to Chelsea last summer as he attempted to kick on at Palace. The France U21 international signed a new contract with the south Londoners after snubbing a switch to Chelsea, with the deal widely believed to include a release clause.

United had hoped to do a deal in the summer transfer window. INEOS chief Ratcliffe, whose investment in the Red Devils has now been ratified by the Premier League and the Football Association, sees Olise as a possible upgrade on Erik ten Hag’s current options.

However, the Daily Telegraph reports that Juventus have entered the race to sign the winger. It is claimed that the highly-rated attacker Soule could be offered in exchange, with the bid likely to be more tempting to Palace than any from United unless they simply meet his release clause.

The Eagles are reportedly impressed by Soule who has scored 10 goals in 23 Serie A appearances on loan at Frosinone. The 20-year-old - capped by Argentina U20s - has played 21 senior matches for Juve, scoring once.

He will return to Juve in the summer and will likely attract plenty of interest, including from the Premier League.

So, too, will Olise despite a season plagued by his hamstring problem. He has scored six goals in just 11 Premier League matches this term, with many of Europe’s biggest clubs keeping an eye on his performances.