Chelsea sensationally rejected by Prem attacker as U-turn prompts contact for alternative raid
Chelsea target Brennan Johnson after missing out on Michael Olise
Michael Olise has signed a new contract with Crystal Palace despite Chelsea activating his release clause – while the Blues have been linked with another Premier League attacker in response.
Chelsea recently met the £35m release clause in Olise’s contract at Crystal Palace, putting the winger’s fate in his own hands.
However, Palace were not happy with how Chelsea conducted themselves in the process. Ultimately, though, Olise has turned down the move across London anyway.
Palace chairman Steve Parish tweeted on Thursday afternoon: “I’m absolutely delighted to announce @m.olise has decided to commit his future to Crystal Palace and this afternoon signed a new four-year deal with the club.”
A club statement has now confirmed Olise’s new terms are valid until 2027. Reports have indicated Palace’s threat of action against Chelsea may have caused the Blues to back out anyway, but even so, that didn’t mean Olise would have to agree to the new deal with the Eagles that he ultimately has.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson reacted by saying: “It’s the best possible news we could have.
“I had been concerned – it’s always concerning when a club of Chelsea’s stature take interest in a player, and people will suggest that a move to them might be the best bet.
“I had always hoped that wouldn’t be the case and that Michael would realise that at such a young age his future here is very bright, and we can help him move very quickly on to another level.
“I am delighted for the club, and I must congratulate Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman on the fantastic job they have done in persuading him that, even though there was pressure from outside, ‘this is your place and this is where we think you will progress in the right way and develop in the right way’.”
Olise has made 71 appearances for Palace so far since joining them from Reading and has scored six goals in that time, while providing 19 assists.
Still only 21 years old, there is plenty of time ahead for the English-born French youth international to progress his career to the next level, but Palace are confident of unlocking his potential further at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea turn to Brennan Johnson
With Olise now out of the equation, Chelsea have – according to The Guardian – opened talks with Nottingham Forest for the signing of Brennan Johnson.
They would have to meet a £45m asking price for the Welsh star, which they might look to achieve by including players in the opposite direction.
Their talks for Johnson are only at an early stage, though, and they might be playing catch-up after London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United showed an interest too.
After stepping up to Premier League level, Johnson scored 10 goals from 44 games last season. His overall tally for Forest includes 29 goals from 105 appearances.
Like Olise, he was born in 2001 and has the bulk of his career ahead of him still. But Forest will be bracing themselves for interest in the last couple of weeks of the transfer window.
Chelsea are in the market for another attack-minded player after summer signing Christopher Nkunku suffered a serious injury early into his spell with the club.
