Chelsea have agreed on a deal in principle for 17-year-old Pape Daouda Diong from Senegalese side Darou Salam.
According to 90 Min, Chelsea have agreed a deal in principle to sign Pape Daouda Diong from Senegalese side Darou Salam. The teenager made an impression at the Under-17 World Cup, with the Blues sealing a move for the future star.
Chelsea: Chasing a Young Core
Chelsea have come under plenty of criticism for their heavy spending since their new owners took over 18 months ago. The club have splashed over a billion pounds on new talent, with most of them of a younger age group.
Despite the raft of criticism, Chelsea remain undeterred in their quest to bring the globe’s best young talent and will continue to do so in the forthcoming windows. They have now secured a deal for highly-rated Senegal youth talent Pape Daouda Diong from Senegalese side Darou Salam.
Pape Daouda Diong Set to Join Chelsea?
The teenager impressed at the Under-17 World Cup with some impressive performances for Senegal, especially in the win over Argentina. The towering defensive midfielder appears to have the physical attributes to succeed in Europe, and now it is all about the coaching he receives.
Pape Daouda Diong was spotted at Stamford Bridge alongside Kendry Paez during Chelsea’s recent Carabao Cup clash against Newcastle United. Paez is a 16-year-old Ecuadorian who has already made his mark in senior football with Independiente del Valle and the Ecuador national team.
While Paez will join in 2025, Diong will arrive here next summer when he turns 18. The fee-related details remain under wraps for now. But Chelsea might have paid up a decent amount, considering how they are adamant about investing in future talents.
The 17-year-old is not the only one who has impressed through the Under-17 World Cup, as Chelsea are also eyeing Argentine talent Claudio Echeverri from River Plate. The Blues are intent on bringing some of these talents in the coming years but are eager to agree on a deal now.
As for immediate recruitment into their first team, they are targeting highly rated LOSC Lille teenager Leny Yoro. The 18-year-old might become the subject of a transfer battle in January. But if he arrives, he will want first-team action rather than a promise for the future.
As for players like Diong, there’s still a long way to go before he earns a spot in the Chelsea first team. Making the big move from Senegal to the Premier League will raise his confidence and spirit, as the Blues will hope they made the right decision to sign the 17-year-old.
