Michael Olise turned down the opportunity to join Chelsea to sign a new four-year deal at Crystal Palace, according to chairman Steve Parish.
Chelsea was optimistic that a deal would be completed for the French midfielder after activating the £35 million release clause in Olise’s last contract.
The news of Olise’s extension, which was initially announced by Palace chairman Parish on social media, has left the Blues “in disbelief”.
“Michael Olise has opted to dedicate his future to the Crystal Palace football club, and this afternoon he signed a new four-year contract with the team”, Parish wrote.
Although sources claim that Palace threatened to go to court over Chelsea’s pursuit of Olise, 5Times understands that Chelsea thought the transaction would go through anyway, and since Olise signed a new four-year contract, it has put an end to Chelsea’s chances of reuniting with the 21-year-old.
Romeo Lavia’s transfer from Southampton is about to be confirmed as he just passed his medical check, so Chelsea was prepared to start concentrating on other areas after selecting
Olise as the final component of their midfield makeover this summer.
Mohammed Kudus, a player for Ajax, is rumoured to have admirers at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea had early-season negotiations with the Ghanaian international about a transfer.
