Chelsea’s transfer saga has taken an intriguing turn as the Premier League club remains confident in securing the signature of Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise.
Despite facing competition from Manchester City and Arsenal, the Blues are determined to make the talented play-maker part of their squad.
The recent additions of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson had brought some optimism, but it seemed that Chelsea’s pursuit of new signings hit a roadblock while trying to finalize a deal for Moises Caicedo.
However, the situation changed over the weekend when reports emerged that Chelsea is on the brink of signing Monaco defender Axel Disasi and Rennes midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu.
Although Ugochukwu might be loaned out, securing both signings would be a significant coup for the club, indicating their interest in talented French players.
Before the potential deals for Disasi and Ugochukwu came to light, Chelsea had shown interest in France Under-21 international Michael Olise.
Despite currently being sidelined with a hamstring injury, Olise has become a sought-after target due to an alleged release clause of around £35 million.
Notably, Paris Saint-Germain has been a long-term admirer of the former Reading star, while Manchester City and Arsenal are also keen on securing his services.
However, Chelsea seems to have an edge over the competition, as they maintain a strong relationship with Olise’s family, with his younger brother Richard already part of Chelsea’s academy setup.
Additionally, Olise himself is familiar with the West London club, having spent seven years in their youth ranks before moving to Manchester City.
Even though Chelsea cannot offer European football for the 2023-24 season, a previous report suggested that Olise was “seduced” by the project under the guidance of manager Mauricio Pochettino.
In the latest update, Chelsea won the Premier League Summer Series after defeating Fulham 2-0, securing seven points from matches against Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, and Fulham.
Pochettino has utilized this opportunity to assess the club’s top prospects who have come through the academy or been signed from other clubs.