Chelsea could be heading for a transfer showdown with Manchester United, following rumours that both clubs are keen on Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise this summer.

The Blues have seen another season of change, with former Leicester boss Enzo Maresca now at the helm at Stamford Bridge after Mauricio Pochettino’s departure. Maresca inked a five-year deal this week and all eyes are now on the Italian as he plans to bring in fresh talent to his team and shape his squad for the upcoming season.

One player believed to be on Maresca’s radar is Palace prodigy Olise, with The Evening Standard suggesting that Chelsea are ready to go head-to-head with Manchester United for the Frenchman’s signature this summer in an attempt to bring the winger back to the Bridge. Olise was part of Chelsea’s youth system for seven years before leaving at age 14 and it’s thought the Blues now want to entice the 22-year-old back to west London.

However, it’s understood that Olise is content at Selhurst Park and hopeful about the Eagles’ prospects under new manager Oliver Glasner. Glasner has changed the atmosphere around Palace, with the club ending last season on a seven-match unbeaten streak and he will be aiming to build on that success rather than break up his team.

While Olise has expressed his contentment at Palace, it’s understood that the young Frenchman has high aspirations for his career and is open to other options despite being happy with his current club reports football.london. A potential hurdle for Chelsea and United in their pursuit of the midfielder though is the belief that Olise would prefer to play for a Champions League club if any transfer were to happen.

The Blues missed out on next season’s revamped competition, as did Erik ten Hag’s team, with Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa making up the Premier League’s top four at the end of last season. Despite ongoing speculation that the Chelsea hierarchy believes Olise could be a good fit at Stamford Bridge, it’s believed that Maresca’s team would need to shell out around £60 million to trigger Olise’s release clause, with his Palace contract running until 2027.

With Chelsea looking to rebuild under their new manager, and despite the news that Tosin Adarabioyo will be their first summer signing, it’s likely that the Blues will initially focus on departures, with Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah both rumoured to be leaving Chelsea.