Chelsea have reportedly made a bid worth £17 million for FC Metz striker Habib Diallo. The Blues are on the lookout for attacking reinforcements and the Senegalese hitman looks to be their latest target.
French media outlet Republicain Lorrain has reported that the Blues have lodged an initial bid for the 24-year-old forward after an impressive first half of the season.
Diallo has scored 10 goals in 19 league appearances, catching the eye of those at Stamford Bridge. Metz are not keen on letting the prolific forward go, but the pull of Chelsea and Champions League football could prove to be too much for him to turn down.
His desire to leave could be further heightened by his current clubs troubles in the league this season. They sit just outside the relegation zone in Ligue 1 and are in danger of relegation. A move to a top side in England would be a big improvement for Diallo.
Lampard sees signing a striker as a priority of utmost importance this month. Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi have been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and could be on their way out.
That would leave Chelsea with Tammy Abraham as their only senior striker. The 22-year-old has scored an impressive 12 goals in 20 Premier League appearances this season but cannot carry the goalscoring burden alone. Another striker needs to be added to the Blues ranks if they are to achieve success.
There are no certainties that Diallo will be able to replicate his current form in England. However, if a deal can be struck for around the £17 million mark, the risk is relatively low.
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