Chelsea and Newcastle United have ‘joined the consultations’ for Real Betis youngster Assane Diao, with Liverpool and Manchester United already in the picture.
That’s according to Estadio Deportivo, who say the two clubs are talking to the player’s agent and his family after watching him live in the recent clashes with Valencia and Sparta Prague.
The newspaper explains that while Diao is currently not enjoying the best form of his young career, something he has publically admitted to, the interest in him is not dying down.
Those in charge at Betis are already working on a new deal for the player to ‘truly protect him’ and increase his €30m release clause, which is quickly becoming too low for a player with such a high ceiling.
They are already aware of the interest in their youngster and the fact that the ‘hype does not stop’ about him, even in his current downturn.
Liverpool and Manchester United had already positioned themselves for a potential transfer but they have been joined by Chelsea and Newcastle, who have joined the consultations with his agent and family after seeing him live against Valencia and Sparta Prague.
For now, Diao does not appear to be interested in a move and is likely to remain where he is, signing a new deal and continuing his rapid improvement under Manuel Pellegrini, who has shown faith in him from day one.
He won’t change club just for more money now, with the belief he will earn big wages down the line anyway and his development at Betis is more important.
Thus, the Spanish side’s hope is to improve his contract, extend it by three years and improve the release clause contained within it to €40m, which is a ‘convincing figure’.
Whether Chelsea or Newcastle are willing to pay that in future is up for debate, but they are now very much in the picture for the youngster and seemingly keeping a close eye on his development.
