Premier League giants Chelsea are preparing an opening bid for Crystal Palace star Michael Olise which could be made in the coming days.
The talented 21-year-old has caught the attention of several top clubs, with Chelsea now positioning themselves at the forefront of the transfer race, Last Word on Football understands. This comes from the same well-placed source who called that Chelsea opened talks with Robert Sanchez on Monday morning before mainstream outlets reported on it later in the day.
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Chelsea Prepare Opening Bid for Michael Olise
Blues Set Up for Transfer Battle for French Star
Despite interest from European powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, it appears that the West London club have now made significant progress in negotiations, now being “very close” to reaching an agreement on personal terms with the player, as first reported by Football.London.
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Chelsea’s Pursuit of Olise
The Chelsea hierarchy have seemingly identified the youngster described as “unbelievable” by Ian Wright as the next key target for the upcoming season.
The midfielder has shown immense potential during his time at Crystal Palace, impressing with his technical ability, creativity, and versatility. While the departure of Wilfried Zaha means that Eagles manager Roy Hodgson will be eager to hold onto the London-born talent, the allure of Chelsea’s interest may prove difficult to resist.
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Financial Considerations
One interesting aspect of Chelsea’s pursuit of Olise is their willingness to pay slightly more than his release clause, Last Word on Football understands from the same source.
This proposed strategy, as previously seen in the case of Nicolas Jackson, allows the club to offer better payment terms to the selling club meaning they may opt to sell to them as a priority.
By doing so, Chelsea aim to secure the midfielder’s services promptly while also ensuring a mutually beneficial financial arrangement. This approach has worked well in the past and could give them an edge over their rivals in the race for the Frenchman’s signature.
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Competition from PSG and Manchester City
While Chelsea appear to be in the driving seat, they face stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City as previously outlined.
Both clubs have also expressed their interest in the playmaker, but with the Blues reportedly offering “very attractive” salary conditions, it may make a move difficult for either competing side.
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Olise’s Injury Issues
Despite the ongoing negotiations, it’s worth noting that Olise is currently nursing a hamstring injury.
The talented midfielder picked up the injury during France’s Under-21 Euro campaign in a game against Denmark.
While the setback may raise concerns for potential suitors, it is unlikely to dampen the interest in his services. Clubs are well aware of his abilities and believe that he will make a full recovery in due course, ready to contribute to their respective campaigns.
Main image credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
