CHELSEA have set up a £35milion offer to beat Manchester City to Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise.
The Blues are reportedly willing to match the winger’s release clause after his record-busting season for Premier League assists.
Michael Olise could be close to a big-money move across LondonGetty
But the Frenchman faces missing the start of the campaign due to a knee injury at the Under-21 Euros last month.
And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reckons Chelsea and Palace are both “waiting to clarify” his fitness situation before any deal.
Olise, 21, was fourth in the 2022-23 Prem assist list on 11, behind Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, Arsenal wideman Leandro Trossard and Liverpool striker Mo Salah.
And his goal-making made history in the closing weeks of last term.
Olise became the youngest player to tee up three Prem goals from open play in one match when Palace came from behind to win 5-1 at Leeds on April 9.
And on May 13 he became the first Eagle to achieve ten Prem assists in one season.
The London-born creator’s brilliant pass saw Eberechi Eze complete a double in a 2-0 home victory over Bournemouth.
The soaring interest in Olise comes as fellow Palace wideman Wilfried Zaha nears a surprise switch to Turkish giants Galatasaray.
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The Ivory Coast ace, 30, had been linked with a free transfer to AC Milan, PSG, Napoli or Lazio.
But on Sunday evening Galatasaray shared a clip of Zaha jetting out to seal a potential move.
The Eagles appear to have accepted defeat after offering him a club-record contract worth £200,000 a week over four years.
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