Chelsea could end up depending on their rivals to help them sign Michael Olise this summer, with one Premier League side in particular potentially providing a pathway to the Crystal Palace star.
Enzo Maresca’s side are hoping to beat the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal to the signing of Olise and Chelsea are already said to have opened talks with Palace over a transfer.
Olise has a release clause in his contract worth around £60 million (€71m) and Chelsea are determined to sign the right winger despite having the likes of Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Omari Hutchinson available in that position.
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Among the sides said to be interested in Olise are Newcastle, with Eddie Howe’s side also joining Chelsea and Bayern Munich in reportedly contacting Palace over a transfer.
But Newcastle could also end up aiding Chelsea in their pursuit of Olise, with i reporting that Madueke is on their shortlist if they miss out on the Palace man.
Cashing on Madueke would allow Chelsea to finance a move for Olise and also guarantee the 22-year-old more minutes by getting rid of a competitor in his role while eliminating a rival for his signature in Newcastle.
Madueke to Newcastle would suit Chelsea’s Olise ambitions
Madueke has struggled for first team football since joining Chelsea in 2023 from PSV for €35m, making just 20 Premier League starts in 18 months.
However, the 22-year-old became a regular under Mauricio Pochettino in the final few months of the season, starting the last ten games of the campaign, grabbing three goals and two assists in that period.
While Madueke’s form was encouraging, Chelsea are still keen to bring in Olise – a move which would see Madueke and Hutchinson likely sold, especially with young wingers Estevao and Kendry Paez set to join the Blues next summer.
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Madueke has six years remaining on his contract, meaning a sale could prove difficult, although a move for him would likely be more feasible for Newcastle than Olise, with the Magpies still battling PSR restrictions.
Olise is thought to favour a move to a side with Champions League football – something which both Chelsea and Newcastle cannot offer currently – but remaining close to his London roots may give the Blues the edge over their rivals.
Chelsea and Newcastle are believed to have a strong relationship and a deal for Madueke could be the catalyst for Olise’s move to Stamford Bridge, although it remains to be seen whether any interest turns into a concrete transfer in the future.
