Chelsea ‘contact Sporting Lisbon over double transfer swoop’ but face paying more than £150MILLION for duo
CHELSEA have reportedly enquired about signing two current Sporting Lisbon stars.
Mauricio Pochettino is keen to add to his squad in January and is already making moves ahead of the window re-opening.
GettyChelsea have made contact with Sporting Lisbon for Viktor Gyokeres[/caption]
The Blues boss is understood to have a new central defender and striker at the top of his transfer wishlist.
Sporting duo Ousmane Diomande and Viktor Gyokeres could both fill those areas, but would cost Chelsea £156million to sign.
According to The Standard, Chelsea have made contact with the Portuguese league leaders about signing both players.
Diomande has been identified as a primary defensive target, but Chelsea’s initial enquiry has been knocked back.
Sporting are said to only be willing to sell for his £69million release clause, having signed Diomande from Midtjylland for just £6.5million in January.
His former club would also be owed 20 per cent of any transfer fee, further complicating the deal.
The Ivory Coast international has already made 37 appearances for Sporting, missing just one match this term across all competitions.
Pochettino is keen to add to his defensive options following Wesley Fofana’s long-term injury.
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GettyThe Blues have also been told to pay Ousmane Diomande’s £69million release clause[/caption]
Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah is also up for sale and Thiago Silva could leave when his contract expires in the summer.
As for Gyokeres, Sporting have again demanded the Blues meet his £87million release clause.
The Portuguese giants are reluctant to sell their top scorer, who signed from Coventry for £17million in the summer.
Gyokeres has scored 17 goals and provided eight assists in 20 appearances for Sporting, including a goal and assist against Porto on Monday.
Victor Osimhen, Ivan Toney and Club Brugge’s Antonio Nusa are also striker targets for Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Pochettino is also said to be eyeing a midfielder, but as a lower priority.
The report adds he could use Andrey Santos if he is recalled from his loan at Nottingham Forest instead of making a new signing.
