Chelsea has dispatched scouts to observe a promising young defender, amidst growing concerns of a potential Arsenal hijack valued at £70m.

In recent times, Chelsea has displayed a penchant for disrupting Arsenal’s transfer aspirations. Over the past year, they managed to secure the signings of Moise Caicedo, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Joao Felix, all of whom were previously strongly linked with Arsenal before making their moves to Stamford Bridge.

With Mauricio Pochettino at the helm, this trend seems likely to intensify. Given his shared perspectives and tactical inclinations with Mikel Arteta as a fellow young manager, it appears inevitable that both clubs will clash not only on the field but also in the fiercely competitive transfer market.

According to a report from Record, relayed by 90min, Chelsea’s scouts have recently been deployed, signaling a keen interest in acquiring the services of 19-year-old defender Ousane Diomande from Sporting CP. Throughout the summer transfer window, Arsenal had been actively pursuing the young talent, and there are still lingering speculations about a potential move from the Gunners.

This sets the stage for another intriguing face-off between the two London clubs. While the activation of Diomande’s £70m release clause, a substantial sum for an unproven center-back, seems unlikely for either club, the possibility can’t be entirely ruled out, especially in Chelsea’s case.

Diomande’s proficiency across various defensive roles has evidently attracted the attention of two of the most astute tacticians in the game. In all sincerity, it’s plausible to argue that he might have more opportunities to thrive at Arsenal compared to Chelsea at this stage. However, disregarding the undeniable allure of Mauricio Pochettino’s powerhouse cannot be discounted, given their status as one of the premier clubs globally.

The tussle for Diomande’s signature signifies not just a battle for a young talent but also a subtle power play between two London giants, each vying for dominance and an edge over the other. As the saga unfolds, it will be intriguing to witness how both clubs strategize and maneuver to secure the prized defender’s services.