€60m price set for top defender Chelsea wanted in 2023 | OneFootball

Sporting Club de Portugal are battling to get their title charge back on track after the loss of Ruben Amorim to Manchester United, and last night they had a huge game against Porto away at the Dragao.

The club from the capital took the lead and held it until late on, when they were pegged back to make it 1-1 right at the death. There were then two red cards handed out, with one for defender Ousmane Diomande.

It all made interesting watching for Chelsea fans because Diomande is being heavily linked with the Blues ahead of a potential summer move. Rudy Galetti of TeamTalk had the latest update on the interest as it develops ahead of a busy window.

Chelsea getting closer to acceptable deal for €80m defender

Ousmane Diomande lines up for Sporting.

Galetti reports today that Diomande is being “monitored” by the Blues and there is a deal to be done for “some distance below [Diomande’s] sizable release clause.”

The 21 year old is one of Chelsea’s “top targets” for the summer, as the Blues look to strengthen at centre back. Diomande, along with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, is top of the list. The fact he plays on the left of the pairing allows him to compete with Levi Colwill, and his age makes him a prime target for our sporting directors.

His clause is set at €80m, but if we can indeed get that number down we might be in business. Galetti suggests he could be got for €60m if a deal is done soon.

We’ve heard this player mentioned so many times in the last couple of years that we really believe there’s some truth to these rumours, and if Axel Disasi can be moved on permanently and Wesley Fofana continues to struggle with injury, there’s certainly space for him.