Chelsea ‘ready to battle Manchester United for £60m Michael Olise’

• Michael Olise turned down Chelsea last year to sign a new contract at Crystal Palace
• The Blues are ready to rekindle their interest in the winger and take on Manchester United
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Chelsea are looking to rival Manchester United in their bid to sign Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise as they attempt to revamp their front line under new manager Enzo Maresca.

The 22-year-old looked destined to join the Blues last summer but surprised the football world by putting pen to paper on a new four-year deal at Palace.

Maresca’s side could face a challenge to secure the Frenchman’s services with Manchester United among a host of clubs vying for his signature.

Olise has impressed the Blues after scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in an injury-hit Premier League season.

And now Chelsea are ready to renew their interest in the Palace star, according to the Evening Standard.

It could prove a difficult task to pry Olise away from Palace as he is understood to be happy under Oliver Glasner in south London.

The Eagles have reportedly paid a £60m fee for the winger, which is £25m more than the Blues came close to buying him for last season.

The west London side believed Olise was on his way to Stamford Bridge last summer, apparently triggering his release clause, but the deal fell through.

Despite the price hike, Todd Boehly wants to back Enzo Maresca in his first transfer window as Chelsea head coach.

To raise funds for deals such as this, they hope to sell some big stars like Conor Gallagher and Romelu Lukaku.

The Blues’ aim for next season under their new boss is to secure Champions League football, which is apparently where Olise wants to play in the future.

The fact that Chelsea finished sixth last season and will play in the Europa Conference League – thanks to Manchester United’s FA Cup glory – could prevent a deal.

However, they believe Maresca’s arrival could convince Olise to return to where he once played.

The French winger was part of the Blues academy for seven years between 2009 and 2016 before moving to Manchester City and then Reading.