Chelsea and Manchester City interested in Crystal Palace midfielder

FOOTBALL Chelsea and Manchester City interested in Crystal Palace midfielder

Mark Kinyanjui 21:36 - 23.07.2023

The 21-year-old made Premier League history in April when he became the youngest player to make a history of assists in their 5-1 win over Leeds United.

Chelsea and Manchester City are in the race to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise. 

This is according to Fabrizio Romano, who says that both sides are looking at him as one of the options as they continue to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season.

However, the sides are monitoring his injury situation, having suffered a hamstring injury at the Under 21 European Championships in June.

Olise has a £35m buyout clause but Mauricio Pochettino's side have offered figures in excess of that amount, in a bid to secure a better payment term akin to their arrangement with Villarreal to sign Nicolas Jackson. 

The Argentine manager is a big admirer of the young winger and has already spoken to him, with Olise having agreed to join Chelsea if a deal can be reached. 

Palace, meanwhile, are trying to convince him to stay and Pochettino's side will likely need to trigger that buyout clause as Roy Hodgson's side are reluctant to entertain negotiations to sell him. 

Their above-asking price offer may help them pip Manchester City in the race to sign him, with Pep Guardiola also eyeing up a move for the Crystal Palace prospect.

A move to City would make sense as Pep is looking for a right-footed winger to replace Riyard Marhrez, who is set to move to Saudi Arabia.

Olise made Premier League history in April when he became the youngest player to make a history of assists in their 5-1 win over Leeds United.

After shining in the Championship with Reading, Palace were quick to snap him up for less than 10 million pounds in 2021. A bargain, by any standards.

After a slow start in his debut Premier League season, he doubled the minutes he played last season when he made his Premier League maiden campaign. 

Since then, he has accumulated 12 assists, with Bukayo Saka (17 assists) the only one to have recorded more assists amongst players aged 21 and below in that period.