were considering taking to a tribunal over the way they approached Michael Olise, according to reports.
Olise looked all but set to join Chelsea after they agreed personal terms and activated the winger’s £35million release clause.
However, in a sensational turn of events, .
It was said that the Eagles were furious with the way the Blues had seemingly secured their star player’s signature, and were even thinking about reporting their rivals for making an ‘illegal approach’.
now reports that Palace ‘informed club’s lawyers of their intention to consider going to a tribunal with Chelsea’ over the matter.
What is more, that strong threat of legal action may have prompted Todd Boehly and co. to pull out of the deal, but regardless the decision to sign a new deal was Olise’s.
Palace boss confirmed this in his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday’s clash against Arsenal, saying: ‘It’s the best possible news we could have.
‘We have been concerned, one is concerned if a club the size of Chelsea’s stature start to take an interest in a player and suggests that a move to their club might be the best bet.
‘I have always hoped that wouldn’t be the case and that Michael would realise that at such a young age his future here is very bright and we can help him move very quickly to another level, if that is going to happen in time.
‘The decision has been his and I must congratulate [chairman] Steve Parish and [sporting director] Dougie Freedman in the fantastic job they have done in persuading him that with pressure from the outside, this is your place and it’s where we believe he can progress and develop in the right way.
‘To lose Wilfried Zaha first and then possibly Michael Olise it would have changed my perception. So, for me, it’s a red letter day.’
Olise is one of the best young forwards in the Premier League, with his 11 assists last season bettered only by Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Leandro Trossard.
Chelsea meanwhile have swiftly moved on to pursuing other targets, with Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson on their shortlist.
‘I had a long chat with him when the subject was first broached but that was a long time ago at the start of pre-season,’ Hodgson added as he detailed how Olise decided to stay at Selhurst Park.
‘I made it clear to him just how much I enjoy working with him and how much respect I have for him as a player and what potential I think he has as a player.
‘And in that I suggested that I thought being at Crystal Palace and playing here would be the best option but I also made it clear that I wasn’t going to put him under any unnecessary pressure.
‘He had pressure from all sides so I could only tell him honestly what I think from my side. I’m always here if he wants to discuss it further.
‘As a result, we speak everyday but I’ve shied away from asking, “What are you going to do?”, or giving him further advice. He knows what I’ve got to say and I just hoped we’d get the answer we want.’
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