With the Blues apparently agreeing to a deal “in principle,” Chelsea appears to be getting closer to signing Michael Olise from Crystal Palace.
A move to Stamford Bridge, where Mauricio Pochettino’s team is rapidly taking shape, is reportedly appealing to Olise, who spent seven years in Chelsea’s development program.
The 2022–23 season for Palace, which the France U21 international joined from Reading two years prior, was impressive.
His performances also appear to have drawn Chelsea’s attention, as the Blues are said to have submitted a £39 million bid for the 21-year-old, according to RMC Sport (via GOAL).
Olise is presently rated by Transfermarkt at just under £33 million, although Palace reportedly demanded almost £50 million for one of their finest players.
Only three players (Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah, and Leandro Trossard) assisted on more goals in the Premier League last season than Olise, who tied Bukayo Saka with 11 assists.
Olise, a former Arsenal youngster, became the youngest player to provide three assists from open play in a single Premier League game during Palace’s 5-1 thumping of Leeds in April.
While Olise gained much of his notoriety as a creator, he also scored twice on his own, most famously with an incredible free-kick in stoppage time to give Palace a point against Manchester United in January.
He appears to have a very high ceiling, therefore it is easy to understand why Chelsea could be interested in him as they attempt to recover from their incredibly poor 2022–23 season.
The Premier League champions Manchester City, who let Olise go when he was just 16 years old, could, however, present the Blues with serious opposition.