Michael Olise turned down the chance to join boyhood club Manchester United because he believed the hunt for silverware would be more bountiful with Bayern Munich.
The French winger was all but certain to leave Crystal Palace this summer, having scored 10 goals in the 19 games he was fit enough to feature in, impressing a range of suitors.
Olise's release clause also attracted further interest, as his services were available for £60million – an obviously steep but not outrageous price for a 22-year-old top Premier League talent.
Bayern were the choice in the end as Olise cited his desire to win trophies, but the ordeal has left United fans wondering how far their club have fallen that they can't even entice a boyhood fan to come and play for them.
To say that the Red Devils have been enduring dire straits is an appropriate evaluation of the club these last few seasons. Despite winning both a League Cup and FA Cup, fans would still admit that the team are far below what is expected of them.
Unable to mount a real title challenge in the Premier League since they last won the competition in 2013, the 13-time champions are to be led by Dutch boss Erik ten Hag until 2026, as he managed to hold onto his job. And despite it being common knowledge that Olise supported the club growing up, he opted not to play under Ten Hag.
After signing the deal, the winger spoke on the German club's website, stating: "The talks with FC Bayern were very positive, and I’m very happy to now be playing for such a big club.
"It’s a great challenge, and that’s exactly what I was looking for. I want to prove myself at this level and play my part in ensuring that we win as many titles as possible with our team in the coming years."
In the days of Sir Alex Ferguson, the Olise deal would have been considered somewhat of a formality. If United's chances of silverware were more assured, then Olise would have had a less difficult choice fulfilling what could have been a childhood dream.
Bayern have indeed been a hotbed for attracting Premier League talent in recent seasons, with Harry Kane, Eric Dier, and new coach Vincent Kompany all making the switch. The fact that Olise will play under Manchester City legend Kompany next year may rub a tad more salt in the wounds of United fans.
Olise is exactly the type of catalytic player that United's forward line craves. With the club active in the transfer window, losing out on the player because of his ambitions to win silverware and play in the Champions League must sting.
It paints an underwhelming picture of the great club, but should act as motivation for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co to reach the heights they once so casually meandered, and regain their status as an unstoppable transfer market force.
piwabkrty
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Olise boyhood club is Chelsea playing along Jamal misiala in Chelsea academy then how come Man u is his boyhood club