According to reports in France, Chelsea have offered a €20 million (£16.8m) bid to sign Metz forward Habib Diallo. Frank Lampard is looking to sign a new forward to provide competition for Tammy Abraham, who has netted 12 goals in 20 Premier League appearances this campaign.
However, Lyon’s Moussa Dembele has been massively linked and Chelsea have reportedly had a £34m bid turned down by the French club.
According to Metz-based journal Le Republicain Lorrain, Chelsea have tabled an offer to sign Habib Diallo.
Metz have been struggling this campaign and are only outside the relegation play-off place in Ligue 1 on goal difference but Habib Diallo has been the team’s star performer with 10 goals so far.
Habib Diallo’s current contract with Metz expires in 2022 and speaking last month, the French club’s coach Vincent Hognon insisted that the forward would not be sold in the winter. ‘I have never been told about the departure of Habib Diallo this winter,’ said Hognon.
‘All the technical staff had insisted that we extend [Diallo’s contract]. ‘We absolutely wanted to keep him. ‘And we were not mistaken. He will still score goals for us.
‘If Habib is to be let go, that really would not be a good signal to send. No, no, he will stay.’