Michael Olise: Latest Chelsea claim rubbished as star wants Man United move

Michael Olise’s potential transfer to Manchester United could still be well on the cards, with speculation surrounding a potential move to Chelsea squashed.

Reports from earlier this year suggested that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team had identified Crystal Palace star Michael Olise as their No.1 priority this summer.

However, a fresh update from Friday afternoon suggested that Manchester United feared they may miss out on Olise due to Chelsea‘s interest. The director of recruitment at Stamford Bridge, Joe Shield, has a “long-standing” connection with the 22-year-old winger.

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However, in a new twist, journalist Ben Jacobs has reiterated that in “an ideal world”, Olise is keen on becoming a Red Devil during the summer transfer window.

“It’s quite a fluid situation for Manchester United because they don’t really know where to attack first until the outgoings present themselves in full, and that will define the budget,” Jacobs told GiveMeSport.

“But in an ideal world, regardless of budgetary concerns and having to wait for outgoings, Michael Olise is a priority target for Manchester United and, by all accounts, he would be very keen on joining as well.

“So there is serious and credible interest there. And he’s the target endorsed, if you like, by the old regime and this new INEOS-led regime who now control the sporting side of things.”

United do not have much money to spend this summer, meaning they will have to sell multiple players to fund the transfers they require as INEOS looks to rebuild the club.

Olise is rumoured to have a release clause of around £60 million, and INEOS is looking to raise over £100 million in sales this summer as the likes of Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho prepare to depart.