Chelsea have expressed curiosity in signing Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande in 2026, in accordance with Ekrem Konur.
Since arriving at Sporting CP from FC Midtjylland in January 2023, Diomande has developed into one of the crucial thrilling younger centre-backs in Europe. In simply over two years, the 21-year-old has established himself as an essential participant for each his membership and his nationwide workforce.
However this season has been completely different. He has managed solely 328 minutes within the Primeira Liga, shedding his spot to Belgium worldwide Zeno Debast, who has already made 13 appearances throughout all competitions. Together with his recreation time dropping, a transfer away from the membership is beginning to appear like an actual chance.
Therefore, a number of golf equipment have now set their sights on the 6ft 2in centre-back who will doubtless contemplate leaving the Estádio José Alvalade to achieve important enjoying time to face an opportunity of being chosen amongst Emerse Faé’s Ivorian squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Having beforehand proven curiosity in signing him, Konur studies that Chelsea at the moment are again within the fray to signal Diomande as Enzo Maresca seems to be to bolster his backline.
Nonetheless, the Membership World Cup champions face stern competitors for the Ivorian worldwide’s signature, because the journalist claims that a number of European heavyweights, together with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Actual Madrid, are additionally carefully monitoring the centre-back over a attainable transfer in 2026.
Reinforcement
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca started the season with solely Nathaiel Chalobah and Josh Acheampong absolutely match at centre-back, and Acheampong caught the attention right away with a powerful show within the opener in opposition to Crystal Palace.
As evidenced by their type of play, the Italian supervisor prioritises effectivity in buildup and solidity in defensive actions.
Due to that, Benoit Badiashile has drifted out and in of the workforce attributable to his fixed health points, whereas Wesley Fofana, who fashioned Maresca’s most well-liked partnership with Levi Colwill final season, was thrown straight again into the facet as soon as he returned, as a result of he affords precisely what the supervisor desires.
However Fofana’s harm file makes him tough to depend on, and that has pushed Chelsea to seek for one other centre-back who matches Maresca’s calls for.
Diomande, valued at £39m by Transfermarkt, ticks all of the packing containers, possessing the physicality, velocity, effectivity on the ball, and combativeness to thrive within the Premier League.
