Chelsea rated more likely than Bayern Munich to sign £67m player their scouts just went to watch in a cup final

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Chelsea are rated as joint favourites in the transfer race to sign a £67m-rated defender, even though Bayern Munich are competing for his signature.

A lot of change is going on in the Chelsea defence during a chaotic January window. For example, centre-backs Aaron Anselmino and Trevoh Chalobah are back with the Blues squad after being recalled from their respective loan deals.

Elsewhere, numerous central defenders could be on their way out of Stamford Bridge.

Axel Disasi can leave Chelsea if they receive an appropriate offer as three Champions League clubs eye the centre-half. Blues defender Tosin Adarabioyo is expected to stay in January, though.

• READ MORE: Micah Richards agrees with what Enzo Maresca previously said about the Chelsea defence this season

Chelsea and Arsenal joint favourites to sign Ousmane Diomande

According to CaughtOffside, Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal are the closest to signing Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande at this moment in time.

It is understood that Bayern Munich have signalled their interest in the 21-year-old centre-back. However, the player’s personal preference is to play in the Premier League after a successful spell in the Portuguese division.

Apparently, Diomande has a release clause in his current deal worth €80m (£67m). If Sporting receives an offer between €50-€60m (£42m-£51m), that could be enough to convince them to sell their prized asset.

Sporting’s Diomande is on a seven-man shortlist for Chelsea of potential new recruits in the heart of defence.

The Primeira Liga defender ticks plenty of boxes as a modern centre-half with his physical and techinical attributes, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see him end up in the Premier League.

Chelsea scouted Ousmane Diomande in a cup final

Sporting lost on penalties last weekend to rivals Benfica in the final of the Portuguese League Cup.

Diomande, who’s a key starter for his side, played the full 90 minutes. He didn’t take a penalty in the shootout, though.

GiveMeSport claims that Chelsea scouts were in attendance of Sporting versus Benfica last Saturday, specifically to monitor transfer target Diomande.

From a Chelsea perspective, we do like Diomande’s profile as a quick and physically imposing central defender that could help the backline. If there’s one criticism, it’s that the Blues desperately need some more experience and leadership back there, so scouting the market for someone older may make more sense.