Chelsea could be tempted to bid £69m to sign centre-back quickly as Arsenal circle

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Chelsea could be tempted to trigger Ousmane Diomande’s release clause next year.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk.

It states that Chelsea have scouted Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande and could be tempted to pay his £69m release clause to beat rivals Arsenal to his signature.

The Blues signed Axel Disasi from AS Monaco during the summer and look stacked in the centre-back position, but it does not seem like that has stopped them from watching other central defenders.

It will now be interesting to see whether Chelsea actually make a move for Diomande considering that they do have the likes of Disasi, Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill.

However, with Silva’s contract expiring at the end of the season, scouting Diomande may be their way of preparing for life after the Brazilian.

£69m release clause

Paying £69m for Diomande seems excessive. The Ivory Coast international is still just 19 years of age and Chelsea will have centre-back options even if Silva departs Stamford Bridge next summer.

As well as Disasi and Colwill, Mauricio Pochettino also has Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana.

For the time being, Trevoh Chalobah remains at the club as well.

Ultimately, we do not think that Diomande needs to be a priority for the Blues, especially if he is going to cost almost £70m.

It is a lot of money, though money has not been a problem for Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital since they took over the club, so that is unlikely to be a barrier if Chelsea really do want to sign the Sporting youngster next year.