Chelsea have withdrawn from the competition to sign Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein. The Blues had been granted permission by Palace to negotiate with the 22-year-old, but talks fell through due to financial discrepancies. The club had hoped to reach a conclusion by the end of the week, but that now seems unlikely.
The decision to withdraw is part of Chelsea’s efforts to maintain a more disciplined wage bill moving forward. The club’s hierarchy would rather invest in players who consistently perform well or sign individuals who are willing to accept more modest salaries. This strategic shift is aimed at creating a stronger and more sustainable team in the long term.
As new manager Enzo Mareca takes over at Chelsea, the team is looking to strengthen their attacking options this summer. With Bayern Munich reportedly close to signing Olise, it appears that his future lies away from Chelsea as he prepares for a new challenge with the German club. Mareca is expected to bring in at least two new attackers to bolster the team’s offensive capabilities and help them challenge for Champions League qualification in the upcoming season.