Chelsea move to sign Ousmane Diomande set to collapse after new twist – sources
Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande’s move to Chelsea is now in danger of collapsing, sources have told Football Insider.
The Blues have been monitoring the 20-year-old throughout the 2023-24 campaign – and were keen to steal a march on rivals Arsenal and Newcastle United in the race for his signature this summer.
However, a well-placed source has told Football Insider that Chelsea now need to sell players before making any more signings in the off-season.
This new twist comes after the Blues announced a pre-tax loss of £90.1million for the 2022-23 campaign last week (7 March).
Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle have all watched Diomande in action throughout this season as he has impressed for Sporting in league and European competition.
Chelsea set for blow in £51million Diomande pursuit
It is believed the centre-back, who played for champions Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year, will cost in the region of £51million this summer.
Chelsea, who have spent heavily on players in recent windows following the Todd Boehly takeover in 2022, will struggle to fund that deal without selling stars early this summer.
Diomande has made 27 appearances in the 2023-24 campaign, notching two goals and one assist.
The former FC Midtjylland youngster moved to Portugal just last year (2023) but is already emerging as one of the world’s most coveted defenders.
Chelsea are keen to bring a new centre-back to the club despite moving for Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashille and Wesley Fofana in recent windows.
The Blues look likely to be without European football to lure potential targets to the club, however, following a poor 2023-24 campaign under Mauricio Pochettino.
In other news, Chelsea could now sell Conor Gallagher even earlier than thought.
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