Michael Olise has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea (Image: Getty)
Michael Olise was criticised by Paul Merson last summer after snubbing interest from Chelsea and committing his future to Crystal Palace – and he may not be able to resist this time around.
The playmaker has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park over the coming months, with Bayern Munich, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs among his growing list of admirers.
Chelsea have also reignited their interest in Olise and have shortlisted the Frenchman as one of their top targets to bolster their ranks ahead of next season, despite being rejected by the forward just 12 months ago.
The Blues were working on a deal which would have seen Olise’s then-release clause, worth £35million, activated, but negotiations were brought to a sudden halt when it emerged that the winger had signed a contract extension with Palace.
Reacting to that news, ex-Arsenal star Merson was left stunned by the decision, telling Sky Sports: “I was shocked. It might have been because he was at Chelsea before that could’ve been the reason.
“But for me, the whole idea is to move up the ladder surely you got to make hay while the sun shines. Form can come and go very quickly a couple of bad games here and there.
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Paul Merson was shocked by Olise’s decision (Image: Getty)
“We’re talking about Zaha eight, nine, ten months ago was available on a free transfer who was going to have him? He couldn’t go back to Man Utd, will Arsenal have him? Tottenham might take him if they don’t?
“All of a sudden, no disrespect, he’s playing at Galatasaray in the Turkish league and you’re quite shocked. I hope the kid has got it right.”
Michael Olise impressed during the latter stages of last season (Image: Getty)
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Olise’s decision to commit to a further campaign with Palace certainly bared fruit as he went on to score 10 goals and register six assists in 19 Premier League appearances. The 22-year-old also hit a rich vein of form during the latter stages of the campaign after Oliver Glasner’s appointment, and his sensational displays certainly put him in the shop window.
Despite such immense levels of interest, a move away from Palace is not assured this summer though. Olise’s new release clause, which is widely described as ‘complicated’ but thought to be in the region of £60m, gives the player a significant role to play in the decision-making process and he is not expected to jump club if he is not fully convinced by the projects elsewhere.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1912257/Chelsea-transfer-news-Michael-Olise-Paul-Merson