Fuming Palace rage at Boehly for ‘crossing the line’ as midfield assist king nears Chelsea transfer

James Marshment 16 Aug 2023 9:17 AM

Todd Boehly is Chelsea's co-owner and transfer conductor

Crystal Palace are reportedly unhappy at Chelsea’s approach for Michael Olise, believing their London rivals have broken transfer etiquettes in triggering a £35m deal.

The 21-year-old star has proved a major success at Selhurst Park since signing in a bargain £8.4m deal from Reading in 2021. Playing in an attacking midfield role, Olise impressed in laying on 11 goals and adding two of his own last season.

However, a £35m exit clause in his deal has never sat easy with the Eagles. And in light of his improvements, they have been looking to tie him down to a new and improved contract that would remove his exit trigger.

Chelsea, though, have sensed am opportunity and on Tuesday it was revealed had agreed to meet his exit clause.

Given the number of departures at Stamford Bridge this summer, it’s no shock to see Mauricio Pochettino turning his attention to new recruits.

And his interest in Olise was detailed last month with the Argentine seeing a prominent role in his set-up for the France U21 international.

Now reports in France claim that, not only has Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly met Olise’s £35m clause, but personal terms have already been agreed for the star. As such, it now seems a question of ‘when’ not ‘if’ Olise signs on the dotted line.

The Eagles have already lost a star man this summer in Wilfried Zaha, who made a free-transfer move to Galatasaray. However, Zaha’s exit had long been expected, with the long-serving star’s deal elapsing at Selhurst Park.

It’s a very different matter though with Olise. And the manner of his impending departure has reportedly left the Eagles with a very bitter taste.

Crystal Palace upset with Chelsea over Michael Olise pursuit

Describing the deal to sign Olise as ‘complex’, the Daily Mail reports that Crystal Palace have let Chelsea know of their dissatisfaction at the impending transfer.

Indeed, with a headline that actively suggests Olise has been ‘tapped up’, the Eagles are said to left in a rage over Chelsea’s move.

And in revealing that figureheads at Selhurst Park have let Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly know his actions have ‘crossed the line’ in terms of transfer etiquette, Palace are far from happy at the move.

They state that Palace have made it clear to Chelsea they do not approve of their approach to Olise prior to triggering his exit clause. Furthermore, and while powerless to prevent the move, the Eagles have reached out to Olise’s agent to try and convince the 21-year-old to stay.

However, there appears a growing resignation at Selhurst Park that Olise will soon make the move. His transfer is likely to be the third new midfield addition of the week at Stamford Bridge with his capture to follow that of Moises Caicedo and Lavia.

The swoop will take Chelsea’s summer spending through the £300m barrier too. And a whopping £208m of that allocated for midfielders, a deal for Olise might not even be Chelsea’s last of the window. To that end, Pochettino still hopes to secure the signing of a new striker before the window slams shut.

In the meantime, the Blues appear to have fended off both Manchester City and Arsenal, who also both held an interest in Olise.

However, Arsenal expert Charles Watts had told TEAMtalk why a Gunners move for the midfield assist machine would make no sense for anyone at Emirates Stadium.

Michael Olise Todd Boehly