After agreeing to activate Michael Olise’s £35 million ($45 million) release clause, Chelsea is edging closer to signing the winger from Crystal Palace.

The 21-year-old is eager to join Stamford Bridge and is presently finalizing personal terms before a medical, even though a hamstring injury will keep him out for a few weeks.

Olise has attracted interest from a number of clubs including Manchester City but Chelsea have moved quickly in recent days to try to secure his signature.

Chelsea has already spent more than £275 million this summer, breaking the British transfer record to buy Moisés Caicedo from Brighton in a move that could be worth up to $115 million, but they are still committed to recruiting young players to long-term deals.

Olise joined Palace from Reading in 2021. He scored two goals and registered 11 Premier League assists in a 2022-23 campaign which saw him voted the club’s Players’ Player of the Year.

The France Under-21 international would be Chelsea’s eighth major summer signing if a final agreement is reached and a ninth could follow quickly after that Chelsea have agreed a fee worth up to £58 million ($73.7m) with Southampton for midfielder Romeo Lavia.

As was the case with Caicedo, 먹튀검증 Chelsea are believed to be edging out Liverpool in the race to sign Lavia, who has stated a preference to join the London club.