Chelsea have reportedly activated the release clause of Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, as the Blues target further summer reinforcements. As reported by The Athletic earlier today, the west Londoners could soon secure their eighth signing of the window.
In typical Todd Boehly fashion, the capture of Olise will take Chelsea’s summer spending spree to over the £275m mark, with the Frenchman’s release clause costing the club a fee of £35m.
🚨 Chelsea believed to have activated release clause in Michael Olise contract & expect to complete signing in due course. If deal finalised it would guarantee Crystal Palace £35m. 21yo recovering from injury @TheAthleticFC after @FabriceHawkins #CFC #CPFC https://t.co/ImsKrsvLvZ
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 15, 2023
Unlike the £115m British transfer record fee paid for Moises Caicedo this week by those at Stamford Bridge, the Blues could land a bargain in securing the signature of Olise for just £35m.
The 21-year-old has been an integral player for Palace since his arrival at the club in 2021 from Reading, showcasing his versatility in attack. Signed as a 19-year-old by Patrick Vieira from Reading for a fee of just £8m, the Eagles struck gold with the forward, who was named as the Championship’s Young Player of the Season the campaign prior to his move.
Former Palace boss and Premier League legend Vieira dubbed the Frenchman as a “special talent”, cementing just the calibre of talent that Mauricio Pochettino is close to securing in west London.
Deployable both on the right-flank and in central attacking midfield, the attacker contributed to 13 goals in the Premier League last season, scoring two and assisting 11 for the Eagles.
Opening his competitive reign at Chelsea with a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge against Liverpool, the Argentine lined his side up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with at first glance Olise expected to fit in just behind the striker presumably in place of Raheem Sterling. The potential position could pose to be perfect for the 21-year-old to exploit his talents, with his strengths identifiable in playmaking and his composure and skill in possession.
There was speculation regarding the talented France U21 international’s future throughout the summer, with him linked to a host of clubs in the Premier League, including London rivals Arsenal and champions Manchester City.
It is however Chelsea that have flexed their transfer window prowess once more in making the move for Olise, who could join in a week that delivers the signings of himself, Caicedo and rumoured target Romeo Lavia to Stamford Bridge.
While the signing is an exciting one, fans will have to wait to see the London-born star in action in blue as he nurses a torn hamstring that he suffered representing France at the U21 European Championship. The injury is unfortunately expected to keep the forward sidelined until the end of September.
