CHELSEA have been dealt a major blow after sources claimed they would not be able to trigger Michael Olise’s release clause.
It comes after Chelsea contacted Crystal Palace over a move for Olise, as the Blues look to step up their attacking transfer plans.
The Blues lost the 22-year-old winger last summer when he signed a new contract at Selhurst Park.
But Chelsea were hoping to trigger the £60m release clause through a transfer package structured in installments this summer.
But it is now understood that Olise’s release clause in his Palace contract is far from straightforward.
In fact, it can only be triggered by a Champions League club, claims The Telegraph.
This is a huge blow for Chelsea after failing to qualify for next season’s edition of Europe’s premier competition.
Instead, the Stamford Bridge club suffered another disappointing campaign, before receiving some consolation in recent months as they rose from 11th to sixth in the Premier League.
However, their Europa League place was stolen after Manchester United – who finished eighth in the Prem – won the FA Cup against rivals Manchester City at Wembley.
Instead, they will play in the Conference League.
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And Chelsea fans are devastated by the news which threatens to prevent them from signing the French winger.
One supporter wrote: “Oh no, so Olise isn’t coming? All the excitement just went away.”
Another said: “Oh for God’s sake, Chelsea won’t be able to trigger this!”
Meanwhile, the west London club face competition for Olise’s signature from United, Man City, Newcastle and Arsenal.
The Frenchman scored 10 goals in 19 games during the 2023/24 campaign but missed much of the season with a hamstring problem.
Elsewhere, Palace are also said to have charged the same £60m price tag to Eberechi Eze, who was part of Gareth Southgate’s England Euro 2024 squad ahead of Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
