Chelsea now begin talks about signing £51m player this summer, clubs have a positive relationship

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Chelsea have started discussions with Sporting Lisbon about signing Ousmane Diomande from them at the end of the season.

That is according to a report this week from Portuguese newspaper Record.

Ousmane Diomande, who’s aged just 20, is a highly-rated youngster starring in Portugal for Sporting.

The Ivory Coast defender has previously been linked as a potential transfer target for Chelsea.

Record claimed last month that Chelsea scouts were in attendance to watch Sporting play against rivals Benfica in a domestic cup match.

Meanwhile, 90min reported back in January that Chelsea identified Diomande as their priority defensive target for the summer.

Now, it sounds like the Blues have ramped up interest in the quality centre-back.

Record says that Chelsea have already started contact with Sporting about a deal for Diomande.

It is explained that the Blues have put themselves at the front of the race to sign the 20-year-old ahead of rival suitors Arsenal, Newcastle United and Juventus.

The report details that Mauricio Pochettino’s side are in direct talks about signing the centre-half in a deal worth around €60 million (£51 million) this summer.

In addition, Chelsea and Sporting are known to hold a positive relationship, which could help when trying to sort this summer transfer.

When you look at the Chelsea squad, the focus should be on recruiting a proven top-class striker this summer rather than adding another defender and splashing £50m-plus at the back.

There’s logic behind bringing in a new central defender if Thiago Silva goes in the summer when his contract ends, but we’d prefer a more experienced replacement to compete in the squad.

Fans certainly should be hesitant about the club’s transfer dealings when you look back at some of the signings in recent windows, with more failing than succeeding.