Transfer Centre

Chelsea 'confident of winning race for Michael Olise'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 31 July 2023

Chelsea reportedly remain confident that they can win the race for Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise, despite interest from Champions League-competing clubs.

Chelsea reportedly remain confident that they will eventually secure the signature of Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise.

Up until recently, it appeared that the Blues were being left frustrated in their efforts to add to the additions of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.

However, despite struggling to get a deal for Moises Caicedo over the line, it has emerged over the weekend that the Premier League outfit are on the brink of signing Monaco defender Axel Disasi and Rennes midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu.

While the latter may ultimately go out on loan, securing that double deal would represent a notable double coup with Chelsea taking an interest in more talented French players.

Before it became apparent that negotiations had commenced for Disasi and Ugochukwu, Chelsea had been credited with an interest in France Under-21 international Olise.

Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly before the match on April 18, 2023 © Reuters

Although the playmaker is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, an alleged release clause in the region of £35m has led to the playmaker becoming a top target for several clubs.

Manchester City and Arsenal are said to be interested in securing a deal for the 21-year-old, while Paris Saint-Germain are long-term admirers of the former Reading star.

Nevertheless, according to 90min, Chelsea feel that they are in the strongest position to get a deal over the line before the end of August.

The report cites a strong relationship between Chelsea and Olise's family, his younger brother Richard Olise currently part of the club's academy setup.

Crystal Palace's Michael Olise reacts on April 25, 2023 © Reuters

Michael Olise is also no stranger to the West Londoners having spent seven years of his youth days at Chelsea before making a switch to Man City.

Despite Chelsea not being able to offer European football during 2023-24, a previous report claimed that Olise had been 'seduced' by the project under Mauricio Pochettino.

On Sunday night, Chelsea won the Premier League Summer Series courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Fulham, making it seven points accumulated from matches with Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United and the Cottagers.

Pochettino has taken the opportunity to assess many of the club's top prospects who have either come through the academy system or been signed from elsewhere.