{statorium_team tid=8 text="Chelsea"} cooled their interest in {statorium_player pid=6123 text="Michael Olise"} of {statorium_team tid=15 text="Crystal Palace"} and moved their focus elsewhere.
This summer, Michael Olise was high on Chelsea’s watchlist.
The Blues, however, reportedly gave up on the winger after becoming discouraged by the cost of signing him, according to The Athletic.
According to the same source, Olise is almost certain to sign with {statorium_team tid=47 text="Bayern Munich"}.
Chelsea appears to have another winger at the top of their shortlist right now. Olise would have come in to bolster their right wing options.
It now appears that Chelsea will focus on recruiting a left winger instead of the France U21 international, who played in the right for Palace last season and helped Oliver Glasner's team finish in the top half of the Premier League table.
Reports claim that the Blues are making a strong effort to reach a deal with {statorium_team tid=40 text="Athletic Bilbao"} over {statorium_player pid=23468 text="Nico Williams"}. According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano on Substack, the 21-year-old's contract actually contains a £49 million release clause.
Nico Williams’ rising stock
The winger excelled in his nation's {statorium_team tid=389 sid=321 text="Spain"} 1-0 victory over {statorium_team tid=375 sid=321 text="Italy"}, and recorded four dribbles. WhoScored said it was the joint-highest in the entire match. Williams was the only player on the Arena AufSchalke field to make four key passes.
That day, he truly displayed his creativity, so it is not surprising that Chelsea is currently vying for his signature. {statorium_player pid=98 text="Raheem Sterling"} and {statorium_player pid=15379 text="Mykhailo Mudryk"}, the Blues' two primary left side alternatives from the previous campaign, are not going to be happy with this news.
If Williams moves to Stamford Bridge, it will be interesting to watch what happens with them, particularly the former, who is Chelsea's fourth-most expensive signing ever.
Mudryk is particularly yet to deliever at Stamford Bridge, especially when one considers his price tag and the potential he came to the club with.
Maresca eager to make changes
It remains to be seen how busy or not the Blues will be in the transfer window but early indications have shown that new boss Maresca is ready to make some necessary tweaks as much as possible before the start of the season and it is looking like wide players are somewhat a priority.
For now, the general reports hint that Williams’ contract demands are a bit too high and given that Chelsea are already under watch for their financial dealings, it is unlikely that they will commit to yet another amount of reckless spending but time will tell.