Chelsea have submitted a first bid for fast-rising Crystal Palace attacker Michael Olise amid interest from Manchester City
According to RMC Sports, Chelsea have tabled a £39million offer for Crystal Palace to sign the France U-21 youngster.
New Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino, is reportedly keen on adding Michael Olise to his attacking lineup following the massive exits of top first team forwards this summer.
Chelsea have parted ways with nine first team players this summer, including four attackers. Kai Havertz who played as an attacking midfielder has left the club for Arsenal. Mason Mount who also functioned as an attacking midfielder is now a Manchester United player. Christian Pulisic have joined AC Milan while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed for Olympique Marseille. Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech are expected leave the club also this summer.
While the Blues have signed big-name backups such as Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, and Mykhailo Mudryk, Pochettino is reportedly keen on adding Michael Olise to his attacking options in the upcoming 2023/24 season.
The former PSG manager is said to be a huge fan and admirer of Michael Olise and is targeting the young winger as his next signing this summer.
However, Pochettino will have to wrestle with domestic rival Manchester City in the push for Michael Olise.
Pep Guardiola is reportedly monitoring the French youngster with keen interests after the latter impressed with the Eagles in the Premier League last season. Olise recorded one of the best seasons of his career with Crystal Palace last season, scoring two goals in 37 appearances and assisting 11 goals to come fourth on the Premier League assists table behind Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, Liverpool’s Mo Salah, and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.
While Chelsea have gone ahead to table their first offer for Michael Olise, Futballnews learnt Olise has a release clause of £35m in his contract only available to Champions League clubs. This implies a move by City will put Chelsea at a disadvantage to sign Olise.
However, the Blues are not totally ruled off the race despite Olise’s contract clause should the French star decide to make the big move in his career when the release clause is triggered.
According to reports, Jurgen Klopp was the first manager among the top clubs in the Premier League to spot the immense talent in Olise and has reportedly monitored the player in 2021/22 season but later backed off from a move.
Now, Manchester City and Chelsea will be expected to battle it out in the race to sign Olise.
Olise has three years remaining in his Crystal Palace contract. It is understood Crystal Palace are not ready to part ways with the player after a brilliant outing with the club last summer. Crystal Palace manager, Roy Hodgson, considers Olise key to his squad plans next season with Ivorien top striker Wilfred Saha not ready to sign a new contract with the club after his contract expired this summer.
