Chelsea plot ‘£156m double transfer swoop’ as the Blues turn their attention to Portugal in a bid to strengthen Mauricio Pochettino’s side in January with former Championship striker
- The Blues are looking to strengthen their squad during the January transfer window
- Chelsea could strengthen their squad with two Sporting Lisbon stars
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Chelsea are reportedly plotting a £156million double transfer with one of the players they wanted to recruit in the Championship last season.
The Blues are expected to spend big again when the January transfer window opens, having already spent more than £1 billion on new players since signing Todd Boehly.
Mauricio Pochettino wants to improve his squad after an unconvincing first half of the season, in which Chelsea are mid-table and aiming for silver in the Carabao Cup.
Chelsea's biggest problems have been in the goals department and Pochettino is expected to bring in a new striker, with a Sporting Lisbon star being discussed for a move.
Victor Osimhen is one of the candidates being monitored, but the Napoli striker is not expected to leave Italy in the winter window and a summer move is more likely as Arsenal are also interested.
Mauricio Pochettino wants to strengthen his Chelsea squad with reinforcements from January
Former champion striker Viktor Gyokeres is being watched for a possible move
A lack of movement in the mid-season transfer window has seen Chelsea turn their attention to sporting pair Ousmane Diomande and Viktor Gyokeres in a £156m double whammy, as reported by The Evening Standard.
The pair only moved to the Portuguese club in the last 12 months, with Diomande joining in January and Gyokeres moving from Coventry in the summer.
Central defender Diomande left Danish side Midtjylland for £6.5m in January, but Sporting have revalued their asset and now want £69m for the 20-year-old.
Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande (middle) is also loved by Chelsea
Chelsea's initial approach was rejected, with Sporting sticking to their asking price as 20 percent of the transfer fee goes back to his former club.
Negotiations are also underway for Swedish striker Gyokeres, who left Coventry after last season's play-off final in favor of a £17m move to Sporting.
Premier League clubs were interested in him at the time, but the 25-year-old wanted a move to Europe but was able to return to England in January.
Chelsea have been offered a price of £87 million for the striker, who has scored 17 goals and provided eight assists in 20 appearances this season.
