da bet7k： Chelsea have reached out to Sporting CP over a potential transfer for defender Ousmane Diomande, as they want to add more centre-backs in January.

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Chelsea interested in Ivorian defenderSporting ask for full release clause Blues also interested in Gyokeres GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

As per The Standard, Chelsea have designated the 20-year-old as one of their main transfer targets; internally with the signing of a striker also being considered. The Blues made an early inquiry for Diomande, but Sporting turned it down, stating they would only sell him for his release clause of £69 million (€80 million).

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Despite having Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Thiago Silva on the roster, Chelsea wants to add another young central defender. Chalobah is available for sale in January to help fund new purchases, while Silva could leave when his contract expires this summer and Fofana is out with a long-term knee injury.

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Vitor Gyokeres, a striker for Sporting, has also drawn interest from Chelsea. In his debut season with the Portuguese side, the former Brighton and Coventry City target man has 17 goals and 8 assists in 20 games. Sporting is once more unwilling to sell their star forward and has insisted that any interested parties cover the entirety of his £87 million (€100 million) release clause.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

The struggling Blues will look to keep their form alive after their win on penalties against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final. They will take on Wolves on Sunday, December 24.