Chelsea have opened talks with Crystal Palace over a move for Michael Olise, talkSPORT understands.
Palace value Olise, also wanted by Manchester United, at more than £60million.
Although he is believed to have a complicated release clause in his contract, Chelsea want to agree a deal with Palace before discussing personal terms with the player.
Olise previously spent time at the Blues academy from 2009 to 2016 before being signed by Manchester City. He didn’t make his professional debut until a move to Reading a year later where he lit up the Championship.
The 22-year-old has since become a Premier League regular at Selhurst Park, with his ten goals during the 2023/24 season his best yet.
That’s attracted interest from United, while Paris Saint Germain have also been linked with a move following Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid.
However, Chelsea have made the first move in what looks set to be another busy summer.
Following a disappointing sixth-place league finish the club parted ways with manager Mauricio Pochettino by mutual consent, and they’ve since landed the mastermind of Leicester’s promotion – Enzo Maresca.
Captain Thiago Silva has left, and the first arrival of the summer window was a like-for-like replacement, Tosin Adarabioyo who joined on a free transfer from Fulham.
Much like the majority of their signings under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Captial’s ownership the Blues look set to continue targeting younger players.
talkSPORT understands that they are also in talks with Aston Villa for 20-year-old Colombian striker Jhon Duran.
Villa, who may need to make sales in order to comply with the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, are willing to let the forward go, with a £25m deal being discussed.
News Summary:
- Chelsea open talks with Crystal Palace as they rival Manchester United for star forward
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