Chelsea and Man City target Michael Olise ‘agrees terms’ ahead of second offer

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Michael Olise has reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea as the race for his signature heats up. Manchester City have also shown interest in the Crystal Palace star, who could leave Selhurst Park this summer if one of those in the running activates his £35million release clause.

With two full Premier League seasons under his belt since signing from Reading in 2021, Olise is now a household name in the top division. In 2022/23, he became the first-ever Palace player to notch 10 assists in a single top-flight campaign.

City are believed to be in the mix after waving goodbye to Riyad Mahrez. But Chelsea appear to be acting with the most urgency, having lodged a verbal £26m offer for Olise, which is still £9m short of his release clause.

According to RMC Sport, the Blues are primed to swoop in ahead of City after reaching an agreement with the 21-year-old on personal terms.

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Olise spent six years on Chelsea’s books as an academy prospect before a brief spell in City’s academy. The winger’s senior breakthrough came at Reading, and Palace are set to turn a massive profit after nabbing him for just £8m back in 2021.

Chelsea’s opening offer is expected to be turned down as the Eagles hold out for the full extent of Olise’s release clause. A second proposal would be almost certain to follow for a player many have tipped to enjoy a bright future.

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Talks have been complicated so far this summer by an injury Olise picked up on international duty. Both City and Chelsea have been keen to discover more details on a hamstring issue the Palace man suffered while playing for France Under-21s.

Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly a fan of the Hammersmith-born star. And attacking reinforcements certainly wouldn’t go amiss at Stamford Bridge after the departures of Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic.

Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi are also set to depart before the start of the season, leaving Pochettino with precious few options to choose from at the top-end of the pitch.

City, meanwhile, could be caught short on the right side of midfield after Mahrez’s move to Al-Ahli. Alongside Olise, the Sky Blues are believed to be tracking Belgian winger Jeremy Doku as Pep Guardiola looks to conclude a shrewd summer of transfer business.

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