Leeds & Liverpool Exclusive: In-form star with £8m release clause expected to go in Jan

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Published on:

21 Dec 2020, 3:00 am

Reading are likely to sell attacking midfield sensation Michael Olise in January amid strong interest from elite clubs led by Liverpool and Leeds United, Football Insider understands.

The Frenchman has emerged as one of the hottest properties outside of the Premier League and is already a key member of the Championship side despite only turning 19 last week.

A recruitment source told Football Insider that Reading accept that Olise is now expected to leave in the upcoming transfer window.

Football Insider revealed last month that the France youth international has an £8million release clause in his contract.

Reading are keen to extend his deal, which expires in the summer of 2022, and increase his buyout fee.

But they are now planning for the strong possibility Olise will join one of his top-flight suitors.

This site first revealed Leeds’ interest in Olise in early August as they looked to strengthen in central midfield during the summer window.

In the event, Marcelo Bielsa did not sign any senior players in that position after a £20million swoop for Michael Cuisance collapsed at the eleventh hour.

There is also interest from Jurgen Klopp's Premier League champions as well as Arsenal, Wolves and Crystal Palace.

Olise has graduated from the Reading youth team to establish himself in the senior side.

He first started out for the side in central midfield but has played in multiple attacking midfield roles this season, and even at centre-forward in Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Brentford.