- Michael Olise joined Bayern Munich for £52million at the end of last season
- He starred for Thierry Henry’s France U21s at the Olympics with five assists
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England’s ever-fading hopes of securing Michael Olise’s international allegiances look set to finally be put to bed, with the French youth international in line for a first call up to the senior side according to reports.
Olise was eligible to play for both England and France – as well as Nigeria and Algeria – having been born in White City, west London to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, and has been courted by both rival nations.
Olise has been called up to both the U18 and U21 French youth teams, and was a key part of Thierry Henry‘s Olympic set up over the summer at the Paris Games.
Now, according to reports, he is being seriously considered for a step up to the senior side by Didier Deschamps.
Olise starred for Crystal Palace last season and earned himself a big-money move to German titans Bayern Munich off the back of his heroics, signing for Vincent Kompany‘s side for £52million.
Michael Olise is in line for a first senior call up to the France team, according to reports
Didier Deschamps is thought to be seriously considering including Olise in his upcoming squad
Throughout the Olympics, Olise scored twice and provided five further assists for Henry’s Les Bluetes.
France are set to take on Italy and Belgium in the upcoming September international break, with Deschamps’ squad anticipated to be announced on August 29.
Olise is among a number of potential surprise call-ups, although there is a strong argument that the only reason he has not already received his first cap is France’s ludicrous depth across the board.
For example, in forward positions Deschamps can already call upon Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Thuram, Randal Kolo Muani, Antoine Griezmann and Bradley Barcola – most of whom can play across the front line.
However Olise has forced himself into the reckoning after 10 goals and six assists in the Premier League last term for Palace, before moving on to the Bundesliga outfit.
France reached the final but were ultimately defeated in a dramatic final by Spain, who came out 5-3 victors after striking twice in added time.
Olise was part of the French side to finish runners up at the Olympics, scoring two and assisting another five
The 22-year-old joined Bayern Munich for £52million at the end of an impressive season with Crystal Palace
Olise is also eligible to play for England after being born in London to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother
The hosts had taken the lead through Enzo Millot on 11 minutes, before a brace from Fermin Lopez and another from Alex Baene had Spain 3-1 up before the break.
France managed to level the tie on the stroke of full-time with Jean-Phillipe Mateta scoring the third from the spot, but La Roja fought back in extra time with two more goals to seal the gold medal.
