The future of Crystal Palace’s Nigerian winger Michael Olise continues to dominate the back pages in England and abroad.
London-born Olise, who is also eligible to represent the French and Algerian national teams through his mother, signed a new deal last summer that would keep him at Selhurst Park until June 30, 2027.
The contract signed by Olise just after the start of the 2023-2024 season has a release clause believed to be around £60 million.
According to The Athletic’s transfer market specialist David Ornstein (subscription required), four other prominent clubs are battling Chelsea for the signature of the France U21 international.
Apart from Chelsea, German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Newcastle United have also contacted Crystal Palace to explore the possibility of signing the versatile winger and to obtain permission to talk to the player’s representatives.
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Manchester United and Manchester City are strongly interested in Olise who impressed in the Premier League last term, registering sixteen goal involvements in nineteen matches despite injury issues.
Olise is widely regarded as one of the best young footballers in England not playing for one of the so-called top six clubs comprising Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
A year ago, the Cobham product came close to sealing a return to Chelsea but the deal collapsed at the last minute after it was alleged that the west-London club violated transfer rules and etiquette.
Olise has been included in France’s provisional squad for the 2024 Olympic Games, along with Chelsea midfielder of Nigerian descent