Manchester City and Chelsea are both looking to land the signing of Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise with the young star having a £35m release clause in his contract despite efforts to remove it
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Chelsea and Manchester City are both ramping up their efforts to land Michael Olise with Crystal Palace amid uncertainty about whether or not he has a release clause.
The Eagles signed the highly-rated winger from Reading back in 2021 and he’s continued to impress in the Premier League. Olise was on the books of both City and Chelsea as a youngster, beginning in west London before heading to Manchester in his teens.
Both teams are now looking to add him to their ranks as they eye reinforcements on the flanks. Palace were able to land Olise’s signature due to a release clause in his contract with the Royals two years ago. A similar clause was inserted into his deal at Selhurst Park - which was £35m.
The Eagles, who are wise to the mounting interest in their asset, had looked to renegotiate his deal so that no such clause existed. It had been suggested that it may have been removed, but the Athletic now reports that the £35m fee would still be enough to get him out of south London.
Roy Hodgson admits that Palace have “a fight on our hands” to keep hold of the 21-year-old, who was named the club’s Player of the Year. Olise provided the fourth most assists in the Premier League last term and his fee wouldn’t represent an issue for either City nor Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola has seen several of his major names leave the Etihad this summer. Riyad Mahrez’s exit was recently confirmed as he headed to Saudi Arabia, leaving City short in the wide areas with rumours persisting about Bernardo Silva’s possible departure.
Crystal Palace star Michael Olise is wanted by both Chelsea and Manchester City (
Image:
Offside via Getty Images)
So far the treble winners have only bought in Mateo Kovacic and more arrivals are expected before the transfer window closes. Chelsea meanwhile have continued to be active, sanctioning ins and outs at Stamford Bridge as Mauricio Pochettino trims his squad.
The addition of Olise would be welcome however with the Blues struggling for goals last term. Several No 9s in Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have been added with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Mykhaylo Mudryk providing danger from out wide, although the latter still needs to prove himself after his pricey move.
Chelsea’s new boss has opened the door to more arrivals which would compliment their forward line: “Yes, of course, maybe we can add some different profile or different player who can help us, of course we are open.”
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