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Chelsea 'make contact with Sporting Lisbon over double January swoop'

Chelsea 'make contact with Sporting Lisbon over double January swoop'
© Reuters
Chelsea are reportedly in contact with Sporting Lisbon over the possible signings of Ousmane Diomande and Viktor Gyokeres during the January transfer window.

Chelsea have reportedly enquired to Sporting Lisbon about the possible signings of Ousmane Diomande and Viktor Gyokeres during the January transfer window.

Defender Ousmane has been a regular figure for the Portuguese giants since making the switch from FC Midtjylland at the start of the calendar year, featuring in 14 Primeira Liga matches this term.

Sweden international Gyokeres secured a move from Championship club Coventry City to Sporting in the summer and has hit the ground running, netting 10 goals in 13 league appearances.

The Sky Blues pocketed in the region of £20m for the 25-year-old, who fired Mark Robins's men to the Championship playoff final last campaign with 21 second-tier strikes.

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea have made contact with Sporting Lisbon over the potential signings of Diomande and Gyokeres in the New Year.

Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande reacts in May 2023© Reuters

The report claims that Mauricio Pochettino's Blues have made the acquisition of a new centre-back a priority in January, despite the club already possessing a number of options in that area of the pitch.

French defender Wesley Fofana is set to be a long-term absentee due to a knee injury, while veteran Thiago Silva sees his contract at Stamford Bridge expire in the summer.

The West Londoners are also actively looking to offload academy product Trevoh Chalobah in order to fund the arrivals of players such as Diomande and Gyokeres.

It is understood that Ruben Amorim's Sporting have rejected an initial approach from Chelsea for the defender, stating that any potential suitor must pay the player's £69m release clause.

A deal for the Ivorian's services is further complicated by the fact that Diomande's former club Midtjylland will receive 20% of the profit that Sporting earn from the sale of the 20-year-old.

Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on September 17, 2023© Reuters

The Primeira Liga leaders are supposedly taking a similar stance in negotiations for leading marksman Gyokeres, demanding that Chelsea fork out the striker's release clause of £87m.

It is believed that Pochettino's side could also target the recruitment of a fresh face in midfield to bolster their hopes for the second half of the term, however an engine-room addition is not a top priority currently.

The Blues could have another midfielder back in their ranks if they decide to recall youngster Andrey Santos from his loan at Nottingham Forest, with the Brazilian playing just seven minutes of top-flight football since arriving in the East Midlands.

Looking to record back-to-back Premier League successes for the first time since the start of October, Chelsea will travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Christmas Eve.

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Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their first goal on August 12, 2023
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