Man City made a late move to hijack Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise deal, sources have told Football Insider.

The Crystal Palace sensation is undergoing a medical at the Bundesliga giants after they agreed to pay £50.7m including add-ons to bring him to the Allianz Arena.

Football Insider revealed on 23 June that Newcastle United had pulled out of the race to sign the forward after Chelsea had appeared to be frontrunners.

But they were not the only interested Premier League big guns and it is believed City made contact with Olise’s camp to try to force him into a late change of mind.

However, the Premier League champions’ ambush failed and the 22-year-old is now putting the finishing touches to a move which will see him link up with Harry Kane and Eric Dier in Germnay.

Sources have told Football Insider that Pep Guardiola is currently in the market for a “world-class” wide forward to be an immediate starter in his City side.

Man City make late swoop for Michael Olise after Chelsea talks

With Man City clearly looking for a certain profile of forward, there are plenty of players who can qualify, though potentially not to the pristine standard of the four-in-a-row Premier League champions.

Keith Wyness told Football Insider [22 June] that City will have a natural succession plan in place for the eventual departures of Jack Grealish and Kevin de Bruyne.

Riyad Mahrez was also allowed to leave for the Saudi Pro League last summer, and De Bruyne has revealed his openness to the next chapter of his career, whilst currently captaining Belgium at Euro 2024.

De Bruyne is joined in the Belgian squad by fellow Man City forward Jeremy Doku, who is expected to play a significant part in Guardiola’s plans next season, but Olise would have arrived with different attributes.

Olise’s release clause was valued at £60m for Champions League clubs, but Bayern have managed to secure a deal for almost £10m under the price tag despite City’s late rally.

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