Chelsea and Manchester City‘s hopes of landing Michael Olise have reportedly been strengthened after it was revealed he has a release clause in his contract.
It had been rumoured that there was a £35m release clause in Olise’s contract at Selhurst Park, and that the club were working hard to remove it.
However, those negotiations seemed to have failed as The Athletic claims that the Frenchman will be available for that price this summer.
Olise won Palace’s Player of the Season accolade last season, thanks to two goals and 11 assist in the Premier League, but two of the league’s biggest clubs appear to be closing in.
Roy Hodgson revealed that the club had a fight on its hands to keep the winger at the club in the aftermath of their friendly with Sevilla at the weekend.
Hodgson said: “We have a fight on our hands to make sure he stays with us,” before admitting that clubs are “circling” around Olise.
Palace have already lost their other winger from last season, after Wilfried Zaha joined Galatasaray on a free.
Olise has previously spent time at both aforementioned Premier League clubs – including a six-year spell at Chelsea – as a youngster.
Chelsea’s overhaul this summer has been substantial, and Olise could join Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson in a new-look frontline at Stamford Bridge.
After Kai Havertz and Mason Mount moved on to fellow English clubs, Joao Felix‘s return to Atletico Madrid, and Romelu Lukaku‘s eagerness to depart, Chelsea are reportedly still on the lookout for more reinforcements.
Andrey Santos and Angelo Gabriel have also been added to the squad in recent months, but Olise would bring Premier League experience, and could play a part in the first team immediately.
Meanwhile, Premier League and Champions League holders Man City are on the lookout for a replacement after Riyad Mahrez left for Saudi Arabia.
Jeremy Doku is another name that has been linked, but in the knowledge that Olise could definitely be theirs for £35m may tempt the club into moving fast.
For the time being though, City are said to be trying to wrap up a deal for Josko Gvardiol as soon as possible – a deal which would make him the most expensive defender of all time.
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