Premier League rival join race for midfielder as battle for Leeds target heats up – report
Reported Leeds United target Michael Olise is being lined up Premier League rivals Aston Villa, according to the Daily Mirror.
Reading midfielder Olise has been wowing Championship onlookers with a series of dazzling displays this season and he currently sits atop the assists chart with eight to his name, two more than any other player in the division.
This brilliant form has alerted a number of Premier League clubs including Leeds but Aston Villa are said to be the latest interested party in the 19-year-old.
In the Daily Mirror, Neil Moxley exclusively reports that Villa manager Dean Smith has Olise fixed “in his sights” and has been given the green light to put themselves at the front of the queue for the French midfielder.
The battle for the teenager’s signature looks set to rumble on unless one of the clubs puts in an offer Reading cannot refuse.
With Olise so integral to the start of their Championship season as the Royals sit fifth after 23 games they will be loath to lose him, but it seems inevitable now with Premier League clubs circling ominously.
Midfielder should be on the shortlist
Olise is a player that has lined up in a central role more often than not for Reading this season with WhoScored recording nine of his 16 starts as being central (eight as a central attacking midfielder and one as a central midfielder).
With Leeds generally employing a three-man midfield of two players in front of Kalvin Phillips it would appear that there are only two positions in which Olise could be used.
Mateusz Klich and Rodrigo have been the preferred options in the more attacking of the midfield roles.
They also have Pablo Hernandez but beyond that, they are relatively short on options in the middle of midfield and a move for Olise would appear to be a wise move to beef up the squad as well as an injection of his creative quality to the side.
Phillips is suspended for Leeds’ next Premier League game against Brighton on January 16 which could see Klich drop back into a deeper role so options are stretched for the Whites at the moment.
There appears to be space in the squad for a player of Olise’s quality but if reports are anything to go by then Leeds will have to hurry up to ensure they do not miss out on a player that is earning rave reviews.
In other Leeds United news, pundit urges club to consider loan move for former player.