£67m asking price is still feasible as Chelsea return to major defensive target from last summer | OneFootball

Chelsea’s options at centre back are plentiful, but there’s still a sense that a top option is needed. With Wesley Fofana unable to stay fit – and looking increasingly like he will struggle with that for the rest of his career – a really solid partner is needed for Levi Colwill, who established himself as Enzo Maresca’s first choice last season.

The Italian coach tried various options, and some of them did pretty well. But none of them quite seem to have the super elite ceiling that the sporting directors are looking for as they build the squad.

Dean Huijsen does – but he’s off the market, with Real Madrid closing in on his signature. Beyond him, we’re seeing some familiar names mentioned: Marc Guehi being one. Aymeric Laporte was added to the rumour mill yesterday as a potential veteran outlier.

Diomande still on Chelsea’s list – although others also watching

Ousmane Diomande playing for Sporting Lisbon. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

Another name which was mentioned regularly not long ago has come up again today – Ousmane Diomande. The Sporting CP defender was strongly linked a year ago, but nothing came of it.

CaughtOffside today have reports that Crystal Palace are making an ambitious attempt to sign the 21 year old, and mention Chelsea are very much still in the race.

Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and Arsenal and are mentioned as the major teams watching Diomande. Sporting are said to be holding out for an asking price of £67m, which is a lot, but there does seem to be the potential to push that down a little.

Ivorian defender still a potential winner for Chelsea

If Chelsea have continued to watch Diomande over the last 12 months and still like what they see, he does have the right age profile for this project, and we can see this move happening, even at a high price.