Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise is set to become one of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first signings at Manchester United.
Ratcliffe, who bought a minority stake in the Red Devils for £1.3 billion, is ready to trigger Olise’s release clause in the summer.
United have struggled with their recruitment under the Glazers but Ratcliffe is ready to put his own team in place.
Dan Ashworth and Paul Mitchell have already emerged as frontrunners to join as sporting director and director of football at Old Trafford respectively.
Olise was a target for Chelsea last summer while Manchester City were also keen, but he chose to sign a new four-year contract with Palace.
That deal included a release clause, however, which will become active in the summer and is thought to be only a little higher than the £35 million clause that existed in his previous deal – though it was complicated to activate.
EPL: Ratcliffe to make winger from Man Utd’s rivals one of his first signings