Sources: Crystal Palace could be powerless to stop Michael Olise joining Man City
Man City are ready to fight Chelsea for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise in the final weeks of the summer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on 30 July that Palace are planning to hand Olise a £100,000-a-week+ contract extension to persuade him to stay at the club.
But a well-placed source has admitted that the Eagles could be "powerless" to prevent the 21-year-old from joining one of England's elite clubs.
That is due to a £35million release clause in his current deal with the Selhurst Park outfit, which is set to expire in June 2026.
Palace boss Roy Hodgson recently spoke out about the winger's future, telling Sky Sports (7 August) that Olise will "have a decision to make" if top clubs come in with bids and claimed the transfer battle is now "totally out of my hands".
It is believed that Man City are targeting the France Under-21 international as a replacement for Riyad Mahrez, who joined Al-Ahli earlier this summer after a trophy-laden spell at the Etihad Stadium.
Meanwhile, Football Insider first revealed Chelsea’s concrete interest in Olise late last month (25 July).
The winger’s stock has skyrocketed since joining Crystal Palace from Reading in 2021 for a reported £8million.
Olise notched two goals and 11 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions last term, helping him win the Palace Players' Player of the Season award.
The Eagles kick off the new Premier League campaign away at newly-promoted Sheffield United on Saturday (12 August).