‘Agreed’ - Chelsea hand Newcastle United another transfer blow as they edge closer to in-demand £70m star

Chelsea have reportedly agreed personal terms with Crystal Palace star and top Newcastle United target Michael Olise.

The 22-year-old won plaudits for his performances last season by scoring an impressive 10 goals in 19 appearances for Crystal Palace in a campaign which caught the attention of Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea. Newcastle are in the market for a right sided winger as they aim to re-establish themselves as a Champions League club after the setback of missing out on Europe by the finest of margins.

Transfer guru Ben Jacobs claims that the Magpies have been priced out of a move for the French U21 star, who reportedly has a release clause between £60m-£70m in his contract. Chelsea’s interest in Olise dates back to the summer of 2023 when former boss Mauricio Pochettino thought he had agreed to sign the player for £35m, only for Olise to sign a new four-year contract at Selhurst Park in a dramatic U-turn in the final weeks of the window.

Olise played for Chelsea’s academy when he was just seven years old before leaving for Manchester City at 14. He later completed a move to join Reading in 2017 and just two years later he began to make his mark on the first team, making his debut against Leeds United in March 2019.

The youngster was a standout performer for Reading and earned an £8.7m move to Premier League side Crystal Palace where he has since emerged as fan favourite whilst forming an exceptional attacking partnership with the likes of Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Eberechi Eze. The latest development leaves Chelsea in pole position to sign Olise this summer. However, last season’s setback does give Manchester United some hope of hijacking the deal at the last moment.

Despite missing out on Olise, Newcastle remain in the market for a right winger and have reportedly narrowed down their shortlist to just three players which includes West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, Leeds United sensation Crysencio Summerville and Athletic Bilbao youngster Nico Williams, according to Football Insider.

The Magpies are on the brink of announcing the signing of Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth, according to Luke Edwards of the Telegraph, but are keen on adding at least one more defensive option to their ranks as well after missing out on Tosin Adarabioyo to top six rivals Chelsea, with that deal confirmed by the Stamford Bridge club last week.

Newcastle’s future transfer business is likely to depend on the future of a number of stars, including right winger Yankuba Minteh, who returns to St James’ Park this pre-season after a productive 10-goal loan spell at Dutch giants Feyenoord.

Shields Gazette reports that Newcastle want to take a look at the 19-year-old before making a decision on his future, while Sky Sports claims that the Magpies could cash in on him to facilitate further transfer business. New Liverpool boss Arne Slot worked with the Gambian in the Netherlands and may see him as the perfect fit to bolster his Reds team, according to reports.