Crystal Palace make Chelsea ‘tapping-up’ complaint after Blues ‘crossed the line’ in £35m deal
Crystal Palace have been ‘aggravated’ by Chelsea and their pursuit of Michael Olise with ‘tapping-up’ complaints made, according to reports.
The Blues have activated Olise’s £35m release clause at Selhurst Park as they look to tie up deals for the France Under-21 international and Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
But the Daily Mail insist that Chelsea’s ‘interest in the winger has aggravated Palace officials, who believe the Stamford Bridge club have crossed the line in their conduct during their attempts to sign the player.’
It is claimed that Crystal Palace have ‘communicated their grievances in an unofficial capacity to their Chelsea counterparts’ but they ‘have considered formally reporting their top-flight rivals for making an illegal approach, though whether they are prepared to take such a drastic step remains to be seen’.
It’s understood that the south London club have concerns that Chelsea ‘contravened transfer rules and etiquette’ but the Blues ‘are comfortable with the way they have conducted themselves in pursuit of Olise’.
Nevertheless, it now seems likely Chelsea will now add Olise to the signing of Moises Caicedo – who moved to Stamford Bridge on Monday – while Southampton’s Lavia is also close to joining.
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Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has brought an update on the latest surrounding both the deals with Manchester City also interested in Olise.
Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “One more ‘here we go’ for Chelsea – Romeo Lavia’s move to Stamford Bridge is a done deal.
“It was completed during the night after a meeting between Chelsea and Southampton to discuss the final details, with the structure of the deal now agreed. It’s £53m guaranteed to Southampton plus £5m in add-ons.
“Congratulations to Chelsea because they’re signing a fantastic talent, and of course congratulations to the player because it’s a big move, but also congratulations to Southampton – despite being in the Championship they’re doing very well with player sales.
“Despite their relegation, they’re making big money from sales and only letting their stars go for the right price.
“Chelsea are also closing in on a deal for Michael Olise from Crystal Palace. They’ve triggered the release clause – there is still something to clarify with Crystal Palace in terms of the mechanism of the release clause, and then they will proceed with this signing.
“The player has already said yes to a long-term deal with Chelsea. He was also on Manchester City’s list but their focus is on Jeremy Doku. It’s been a busy summer for Chelsea, but are they done yet? I can’t say for sure right now – with Chelsea signings never say never!
“With Lavia, Chelsea are signing a player they wanted on Deadline Day last summer – I remember this was my big scoop that I was quite proud of. I said Chelsea made a £50m bid for a player but I could only reveal it after the transfer window, and no one guessed it would be Romeo Lavia.
“It was impossible to guess because Lavia only joined Southampton a few weeks before for £12m. The man behind that story was Joe Shields – director of the academy at Manchester City, who created Lavia as a talent, signed Lavia when he moved to Southampton, and then signed him again in his role at Chelsea. He made a big difference really, he was crucial.”