Chelsea to land 19-year-old star as Thiago Silva replacement – Potential replacement
Chelsea have identified their preferred target to replace veteran defender Thiago Silva but will face stern competition from rivals Arsenal for the defender.
The Blues have registered an interest in Sporting Lisbon center-back Ousmane Diomande, whose performances for club and country have caught the eye of the English sides.
Brazilian defender Thiago Silva is in the latter days of his career at 39, and after three seasons at Stamford Bridge, the club must find a replacement. The former Paris Saint-Germain man will have huge boots to fill at the club, but they are confident that they have found someone who can fill the void left by him.Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande was impressive in his country’s most recent matches, where Chelsea scouts followed him to, as per TEAMtalk.
The 19-year-old has turned heads since joining Sporting Lisbon and is quickly becoming one of the finest teenage defenders in Europe.Chelsea must be prepared to pay his full £69 million release clause if they intend to sign the teenage center-back. The Blues must, however, be prepared to move quickly for the defender, who is also on the radar of Arsenal.The Blues signed French defender Axel Disasi this summer and are blessed in the center-back department. They have, however, identified that Thiago Silva must be phased out, and they want Diomande as his replacement.
Arsenal will be wary of targeting a player already earmarked for a transfer by the Blues after their experience with Mykhailo Mudryk this year. The Blues beat the Gunners to the signing of the Ukrainian winger at the last minute.Diomande has featured eight times for Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon this season. His side are also in a good position to secure a good fee for the defender.