Manchester City suffer Michael Olise transfer blow in fresh summer setback

Manchester City have been dealt a further summer transfer window blow as Crystal Palace star Michael Olise looks set to join a Premier League rival.

The France U21 international emerged as a potential replacement for Riyad Mahrez at the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola targeting a new right winger following the Algerian’s move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.

Olise, who registered 11 assists and scored two goals for Crystal Palace last season, could become the second major exit from Selhurst Park this summer, after Wilfried Zaha moved to Galatasaray.

The 21-year-olds £35 million release clause had alerted Manchester City and Chelsea, with both clubs reportedly unfazed by the Frenchman’s current hamstring problem.

The Crystal Palace forward suffered a significant grade three hamstring tear during the Under-21 European Championships in Georgia last month; and as a result, is expected to miss the start of the Premier League season.

Despite the Sky Blues’ willingness to see past the forward’s current injury problems, Manchester City are set to miss out on Olise, as Chelsea close in on a deal for the player.

The Secret Scout report that the 21-year-old is ‘finalising’ a move to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea working on signing both Olise and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.

Personal terms between the Crystal Palace star and the West London club are also claimed to have been agreed, despite interest from the reigning Premier League and European champions.

Olise’s potential move to Stamford Bridge would be Manchester City’s latest transfer setback of the summer window, with Guardiola having already missed out on the signature of Declan Rice.

Arsenal signed the former West Ham captain for £105 million last month, beating Manchester City to the midfielder after a series of rejected bids.

Stade Rennais and Belgium international Jérémy Doku is now being ‘strongly considered’ at the Etihad Stadium, while the treble-winners are also working on a deal to sign Lucas Paquetá from the Hammers.

Doku is valued at between €50 million and €60 million , with personal terms ‘not believed to be an issue’ should a deal with Manchester City progress.

Meanwhile, City Xtra understand that negotiations with West Ham over a deal for Paqueta are continuing, but an official offer for the Brazil midfielder is yet to be submitted.

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