Chelsea is on the verge of securing their second summer signing, outmaneuvering Newcastle United in the process.
Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Chelsea, beating out top clubs like Manchester United, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and others who had shown interest in the talented 22-year-old.
Olise has impressed in the Premier League, scoring 10 goals in 19 games for Palace during the 2023-24 season.
His performances caught the attention of top clubs, but Newcastle United has been priced out of the race due to Olise’s £60 million valuation.
Chelsea and Palace are currently negotiating the payment schedule for Olise’s release clause, which exceeds £60 million.
Interestingly, Olise had previously agreed to join Chelsea last summer, but the deal fell through.
However, he has once again verbally agreed to join Chelsea, and the club is eager to finalize the deal.
Manchester United still holds an interest in Olise, but they may take comfort in Chelsea’s previous failure to secure the deal.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United is still searching for a right winger this summer.
They have shown interest in West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen, but he may be beyond their budget.
Alternatively, Newcastle is considering 19-year-old Yankuba Minteh, who had a strong loan spell at Feyenoord, scoring 11 goals.
Minteh is valued at £40 million by Newcastle, who are currently deliberating his future.
This transfer development highlights Chelsea’s determination to strengthen their squad this summer.
Olise’s addition would provide a significant boost to their attacking options, and his familiarity with the club, having spent seven years in Chelsea’s academy, could make the transition smoother.
As the transfer window unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these deals materialize and impact the teams involved.