Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has claimed Michael Olise will have “a decision” to make if Manchester City or Chelsea make an offer for him before the transfer window closes.

In comments that heavily suggest that the Frenchman does have a release clause in his contract, Hodgson said that he is hoping the Eagles can keep hold of the player:

“No one knows at this moment [what’s going to happen with Olise]. If there are clubs desperately or seriously preparing a bid and tempting him then he’ll have a decision. I can only wait and see what decision he is going to make.”

“He knows we are very keen to keep him. You can never be certain that the players you’ve got, like, want are definitely going to stay – we have a transfer market. I can only hope that [the] market doesn’t, on this occasion, punish us by persuading one of our very important players to move.”

It has been widely reported that Olise does have a £35m buyout fee in his contract, which is a very low sum for a 21-year-old who created 11 goals in the Premier League last season. However, there is an important reason why neither City nor Chelsea have made a move yet.

Olise is currently out injured

The winger tore his hamstring playing for France in the European Under 21 Championships a couple of months ago and he has yet to return to full training.

It was a serious injury that required surgery so Olise is undergoing extensive rehab and he won’t feature when Palace play their first Premier League fixture against Sheffield United on Saturday.

Are City considering alternatives?

Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma has been mentioned as another option if the Premier League champions decide a move for Olise is too risky due to his fitness situation.

However, it appears a new winger is not top of the Manchester club’s agenda currently. They have also held talks about signing Lucas Paqueta from West Ham. The Brazilian wants to make the switch to the Etihad but his asking price could be as high as £85m.