'Agreed' - Chelsea set to beat Manchester United to £60m summer signing

Crystal Palace have some much wanted gems this transfer window - which opens on Friday 14 June - with all the top Premier League clubs eyeing up the likes of Eberechi Eze, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise.

However, the latest reports have indicated that Chelsea have ‘verbally agreed personal terms’ with 22-year-old Olise, thus potentially beating Manchester United to his signature.

According to GIVEMESPORT, the Stamford Bridge side have verbally agreed personal terms with the French youth international after originally doing the same last summer. It has now also been understood that the Blues are speaking to the Eagles with regard to the scheduling of payments for his release clause as they seek to secure his signature.

The 22-year-old nearly moved to Stamford Bridge last summer as Chelsea thought they had activated his £35m release clause, only to be told by Palace that Olise himself had to activate it. The midfielder then ended up signing a contract extension with the Eagles and his release clause has been increased to £60m.

While a deal is not yet said to be close, it is possible that another club can enter the race for Olise with Manchester United still keen. The Blues and Red Devils are also not the only clubs interested in signing Olise but it would appear Enzo Maresca’s side are doing everything they are able to convince the winger to make the trip north of the river.

It is also unclear who Chelsea will sell in order to free up funds to bring the former Reading ace to SW6. While it has been widely reported that Conor Gallagher could be set for a move to either Tottenham Hotspur or Aston Villa, it was also reported that Chelsea ‘consider the sale’ of a fellow forward.

Olise, who has been described as ‘sensational’ scored ten goals and registered six further assists this campaign for the Eagles as a resurgence in form following Oliver Glasner’s arrival saw them finish tenth in the Premier League. The 22-year-old also received a 7.61 rating from WhoScored.com, the best in the Palace squad for the 2023/24 campaign.