Portuguese newspaper Record today shares an interesting story revealing Chelsea’s interest in Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande.
The outlet claims that the Blues sent a scout to the friendly between Ivory Coast and Morocco just to see the centre-back in action.
It’s said a Chelsea emissary ‘took notes’ from Diomande’s performance, and the Stamford Bridge side now join Arsenal in the race for his signing.
The report recalls that the Gunners have been interested in the player for a long time, including a failed €35m attempt for his signing during the summer.
Sporting see Diomande as a player for the future. That’s why they turned down approaches for him in the last transfer window, and should continue to resist.
The Lions are working on his contract renewal, as he’s said to be keen on staying at the club. This new deal should keep the €80m release clause, but raise his yearly salary from €300k to €500k.
Diomande is currently valued by Transfermarkt at €25m, and we’re still to see how much Chelsea would need to pay to take him away from Sporting. It’d be no surprise if the Lisbon side point to the release clause as a reference during negotiations.
