Chelsea have made their “first offer” for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, according to RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins.
The reliable journalist claims that the Blues have tabled a bid worth slightly “less than” €45m (£39m) including bonuses and the 21-year-old is “open” to the move:
🚨Chelsea a fait une première offre à Crystal Palace pour recruter Michael Olise 🇫🇷
➡️ Offre inférieure à 45 millions d’euros bonus compris.
🔹Le joueur est séduit par le projet des Blues. Sur le principe il est d’accord pour aller à Chelsea même s’il y a tjrs des négociations. pic.twitter.com/pzyhUfekuC
— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) July 23, 2023
Fans on Twitter are split on whether spending so much money Olise is the right decision, considering the club are not short of wingers:
Best news I heard this window from, exciting.
— Chuma Shiya (@LaxkCee) July 23, 2023
another winger, where does he play?
— HAUWA 🧕 (@hauwachukwu) July 23, 2023
My goodness 😳 Michael Olise from Palace, am I dreaming? Oh Todd you’re cooking ❤️❤️❤️
— Wisdom Young-Arney (@WisdomArney) July 23, 2023
But i think we already have too many wingers i think we should spend that money to bring a new GK
— Maverick ⭐️⭐️ (@KhalidElhasan__) July 23, 2023
Absolutely sensational move.
We are light on the wing right now, and having someone who can play RW, RCM or even as a #10 is key.
Him and Madueke on the right will be lethal.
— romeo.📸 (@LukeRomeo) July 23, 2023
Madueke and Ângelo are already there and better than this guy.
Let’s focus on better players
— Kévin Uchiwa (@Lampardcfc08) July 23, 2023
Literally makes no sense with noni and Gabriel…
— SAM_CRO (@samcro_AM) July 23, 2023
Chelsea would be recruiting another exciting young player
Olise had a breakout season in the Premier League last campaign, racking up 11 assists in 37 appearances for the Eagles.
When you consider that he will only turn 22 at the end of the year as well, the sky really is the limit for the France Under 21 international.
Is spending £40m on another winger really the best use of transfer funds?
Even though the Blues are trying to offload Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi, the London club still have plenty of wide players in the first-team squad, including Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke, Angelo and even Christopher Nkunku.
While Olise has been known to play in more central areas, his best performances for Palace have all been from the right flank. You do feel that the money being devoted towards signing him could be better spent on a striker.
Especially as we know Armando Broja’s future is up in the air, it would be hard to believe that manager Mauricio Pochettino would want just Nicolas Jackson as his only option up front heading into the new season.
