Chelsea may step up interest in Spurs target with Michael Olise’s move off
By Evan Curnew
The past week or so has been great for Chelsea fans. They kicked off their new era under Mauricio Pochettino against Liverpool and have made some big splashes on the transfer market. Moises Caicedo’s move to Chelsea has already been announced, and Romeo Lavia will be joining from Southampton very soon. The club is not done yet, though, and as The Top Flight had reported, Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise was another top target for them.
Despite activating Olise’s release clause and reportedly already agreeing to personal terms, the French winger’s move to Stamford Bridge is off. He has signed a new four-year deal with Crystal Palace, as first announced by Chairman Steve Parish. It is being reported that Crystal Palace was going to go to a tribunal against Chelsea, accusing the club of ‘tapping up’ Michael Olise. The Blues promptly decided to back out of negotiations altogether.
Chelsea previously held interest in Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus, but it is not clear if missing out on Olise will provoke the club into reigniting that interest. The Evening Standard is linking one player that Pochettino could step up interest in, given the fallout with Olise. Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson was reportedly discussed in a swap deal last week that would have sent Trevor Chalobah the other way. It is believed Chalobah turned down the chance to join Nottingham Forest. Both Brentford and Tottenham have also been keen on signing the Forest striker to date.
Chelsea could look to sign Brennan Johnson, but Nottingham Forest would want a fee of at least £50m for the Welsh international. Johnson picked up 11 goal contributions last season as he helped Forest remain in the Premier League. He has the ability to play anywhere across a front three which could make him a versatile option for Mauricio Pochettino.