Chelsea ‘willing’ to trigger £50m release clause of Crystal Palace star linked to Manchester City and Arsenal

Chelsea are stepping up their interest in Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise with reports confirming he has a release clause that could be triggered to smoothen his move from south to west London.

The Blues are currently flying back to London after a two-week training tour of the United States where they played five games, won three and drew two in an encouraging first month under Mauricio Pochettino.

This summer has been an incredible one for Chelsea in so many ways including the fact that they have shipped out almost 20 players and raised close to £270million with Hakim Ziyech, Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi all still expected to leave at some point.

They have been active too in the incomings with Andrey Santos, Christopher Nkunku and the highly promising Nicolas Jackson all arriving at Stamford Bridge.

Negotiations are still ongoing for the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo despite having at least three bids including an £80million offer rejected last week, the Seagulls holding out for £100million.

On the attacking front, it has become increasingly clear that Chelsea are looking to bring in one of Mohammed Kudus, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise. The Crystal Palace man bagged 11 assists last season, the most by any player outside the top six and is tipped to have a brilliant career ahead of him.

Manchester City are reported to be rivalling Chelsea having lost the mercurial Riyad Mahrez this summer, Arsenal are also now looking at him especially now that it’s become clear that they will need a different kind of attacker following injury to Gabriel Jesus.

Crystal Palace boss who was clearly recovering from the loss of Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray admitted they faced a fight to keep hold of Michael Olise this summer despite he still having three years left on his current deal.

He told reporters when asked about the future of Olise: “We have a fight on our hands to make sure he stays with us.”

Chelsea will begin their campaign at home against Liverpool next week as they look to banish the ghost of finishing 12 last time out.