Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea is targeting rival Manchester United in an attempt to acquire Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise to bolster their front line.
The 22-year-old stunned the football community by signing a new four-year contract at Palace last summer, even though it seemed like he would sign with the Blues.
Manchester United is one of several teams fighting for the services of the Frenchman, thus Maresca’s team may have some competition in obtaining his services.
Olise has made an impression on the Blues despite having an injury-plagued Premier League season, scoring 10 goals and dishing out six assists.
And now, the Evening Standard claims, Chelsea is prepared to pique their interest in the Palace star once more.
Olise is believed to be content working with Oliver Glasner at Palace in south London, so it could be challenging to convince him to leave.
According to reports, the Eagles have paid the winger a cost of £60 million, which is £25 million more than the Blues nearly paid for him during the previous campaign.
Although the deal fell through, the West London side believed Olise was en route to Stamford Bridge last summer, presumably invoking his release clause.
Todd Boehly intends to support Enzo Maresca during his first transfer window as Chelsea’s head coach, despite the higher price tag.
They hope to sell some big stars, including Romelu Lukaku and Conor Gallagher, to raise money for transactions like this one.
Securing Champions League football is the Blues’ objective for the upcoming season under their new manager, and Olise seems to desire to play in the competition.
A deal may be hampered by the fact that Chelsea placed sixth in the previous campaign and will participate in the Europa Conference League as a result of Manchester United’s FA Cup victory.
All in all, though, they think Maresca’s presence might convince Olise to return to the team he used to play for.
The French winger spent seven years in the Blues’ academy from 2009 to 2016, after which he moved to Manchester City and subsequently Reading.