Sources: Chelsea begin structuring Diomande deal to beat Arsenal and Newcastle to move
Chelsea are very interested in a potential January swoop for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (2 January) that Newcastle and Arsenal have both made contact with the 20-year-old’s camp about a possible deal this year.
Chelsea are trying to steal a march on their rivals in the race for Diomande’s signature – and want to structure a deal to bring the defender to Stamford Bridge this month.
However, Sporting have no real intention of allowing the Ivory Coast international to leave the club mid-season as they race for the Liga Portugal title.
Diomande has a release clause of £70million in his current deal with the club – but that figure would need to be paid upfront to force their hand in negotiations.
Chelsea would likely not be able to sanction such a move without selling senior members of their squad this month.
As such, it is believed that the Blues will fight Arsenal, Newcastle and other clubs in England and Europe for Diomande’s signature in the summer window later this year.
Interest in the youngster is hotting up and he is set to become one of the most in-demand defenders in the world.
The 20-year-old will get the chance to impress this month when he joins his Ivory Coast teammates on home soil for the African Cup of Nations.
The three-cap international has played 21 times across all competitions this season, notching two goals and one assist alongside highly-coveted Portugal international Goncalo Inacio.
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 sit 10th in the Premier League after recent wins over Crystal Palace and Luton Town.
In other news, major update on Chelsea signing new goalkeeper.