REPORT – Chelsea Have ‘Verbally Agreed’ Contract With Player As Club Close In On £60M Transfer

Chelsea have “verbally agreed personal terms” with Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, according to TEAMtalk . The Blues now believe they are in pole position to secure the 22-year-old’s services ahead of their rivals.

It was reported by The Athletic on Thursday that Enzo Maresca’s side have contacted Palace to register their interest in Olise. However, it was confirmed that Bayern Munich and Newcastle have made similar enquiries while the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City could follow suit. Even so, the claim that Chelsea have made the most progress in talks with the player could prove crucial.

How much will Olise cost?

The Frenchman is said to have a £60m release clause in his contract but the Blues are not expected to pay the full amount upfront. The London club are keen to pay the fee in instalments but they are willing to shell out slightly more than the clause in order to get the deal over the line. TEAMtalk say the initial upfront payment is still likely to be pretty substantial.

Why do Chelsea believe they are favourites to sign the winger?

The Blues have been in contact with Olise’s agents for nearly a year. They wanted to sign him last summer, only for the deal to run into difficulties. They have kept in touch since then and it appears they are the first to agree a contract. On top of that, Olise’s brother is in Chelsea’s academy, making a move to Stamford Bridge more attractive simply for family reasons. He reportedly also has friends in the club’s first team.

At the time of writing, nothing has been agreed with Palace and there is still a chance for other clubs to hijack the deal, but there is growing confidence that the Blues will win the race for the player.