Chelsea‘s hunt for defensive reinforcements is becoming one of the most important themes of their summer transfer window.
While much of the attention has focused on attacking additions and replacing Marc Cucurella following his move to Real Madrid, there is also a growing belief that the Blues need another top-class centre-back.
That view has been echoed by football.london reporter Bobby Vincent, who recently suggested Chelsea are still in the market for a defender capable of stepping straight into the strongest starting XI.
It is a position that has remained under discussion internally despite the club already possessing a number of options in central defence.
Xabi Alonso wants competition across the pitch as he prepares for his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
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The Chelsea boss is understood to favour defenders who are comfortable carrying the ball out from the back and capable of operating in aggressive, high defensive lines.
Even long before Alonso’s arrival, ex-boss Enzo Maresca was determined to sign a world-class centre-back, as is widely known, with Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen heavily linked before his move to the Bernabeu.
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The west Londoners really want him.
Other defenders have also been assessed as Chelsea continue searching for the right fit, and now a fresh candidate has emerged from the European press.
According to reports in France, Chelsea have made contact over signing Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande.
The Ivory Coast international has developed into one of the most highly-rated young centre-backs in European football, despite enduring a mixed 25/26 due to injury.
At just 22 years old, he already possesses plenty of high-level experience, having competed in domestic title races, European competition and international football.
His performances for Sporting have attracted admirers from several major clubs over the past two seasons, with Arsenal heavily linked at one stage.
What makes the situation particularly interesting is the apparent understanding between player and club.
Top Mercato suggest Diomande has a mutual agreement with Sporting that he can leave this summer if the right proposal arrives, and that arrangement has naturally alerted a number of teams across Europe.
Chelsea are now believed to be among the clubs exploring whether a deal can be achieved.
Diomande is currently away on World Cup duty with the Ivory Coast, meaning discussions surrounding his future are taking place in the background while his focus remains on representing his country.
Even so, interest in the defender appears to be gathering momentum.
One of the most attractive aspects of the deal concerns the transfer fee.
Diomande’s release clause is reportedly set at around £70 million. However, Top Mercato say that Sporting may be prepared to sanction a transfer for considerably less than that figure.
A fee somewhere around half of the clause, as low as £35m, has been suggested as a realistic starting point for negotiations.
If accurate, that would immediately make him one of the most appealing defensive opportunities available this summer.
However, Chelsea apparently face competition from Bournemouth and Como, who are also contending for the African talent.
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The Blues have reached out to his representatives.
