Chelsea are accelerating their pursuit of Ousmane Diomande with Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United also keeping close tabs.
According to at least three reports on Sport Witness, Ousmane Diomande has clear interest from top Premier League sides. Chelsea are keen to step up their chase of the €80 million-rated defender, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle United keeping close tabs to sniff out an opportunity to land the Sporting CP star.
Chelsea step up Ousmane Diomande chase
Chelsea are intent on signing a new defender, and their repeated scouting of one Ousmane Diomande suggests the 20-year-old features on their list. The big issue for the Blues is convincing Sporting CP to sell him for less than his €80 million release clause.
A reort on Record via Sport Witness insists Chelsea have reportedly signalled their intention to make a €60 million offer. With Sporting wanting more or close to the price for the €80 million-rated defender, the Blues are open to including add-ons to make up for the difference.
Chelsea are keen on getting ahead in the race, but face plenty of competition as some of their Premier League rivals keep close tabs on Diomande’s situation. As things stand, Sporting could look to make a significant profit on their €7.5 million investment in the Ivorian, although the Blues will hope to win the race.
Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle United keen on Diomande
Newcastle United scouted Diomande extensively during the AFCON, which Ivory Coast won. The Magpies are desperate to refresh their central defensive ranks with an addition such as the €80 million-rated defender. The club are ‘taking notes’ on the defender’s situation as per O Jogo via Sport Witness.
The same report also mentions Liverpool as an interested party, although neither the Reds nor the Magpies intend to pay the €80 million-rated defender’s release clause. Hence, they might have to knock on Sporting CP’s door to determine how much money it would need to sign Diomande in the summer.
Arsenal, too, have scouted Diomande on several occasions, with some stories in January insisting the Gunners had made contact with his family. Mikel Arteta remains a big admirer of the 20-year-old’s talents and even saw a €35 million bid rejected last summer. Another report from O Jogo via Sport Witness insists that the north Londoners are incredibly keen and keep constant tabs, with an expected summer approach.
