Chelsea are reportedly on the brink of adding Pape Daouda Diong to their list of young prospects.
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed a takeover of the club in May 2022, the focus has been on acquiring top talent from around the globe.
While the Blues have been prioritising players who are ready for first-team football and are aged between 19 and 24, players for the future have also signed on the dotted line.
Despite being unable to field him as a senior player until May 2025 when he turns 18 years of age, Chelsea recently pushed through the signing of Ecuadorian teenager Kendry Paez.
The playmaker is currently in London to familiarise himself with his surroundings ahead of making a switch to Chelsea in 18 months time.
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Paez was also in attendance as Chelsea edged out Newcastle United in a penalty shootout on Tuesday night to progress through to the EFL Cup semi-finals.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, another starlet in the form of Diong was also in the stands for the same fixture.
The 17-year-old is a Senegal Under-17 international who is currently tied to AF Darou Salam and is a defensive-minded midfielder.
🚨🔵 EXCL: Chelsea are closing in on deal to sign Senegal U17 midfielder Pape Daouda Diong from AF Darou Salam! Deal almost done.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 20, 2023
Pape was pictured at Stamford Bridge yesterday close to Kendry Páez 🇸🇳
Born in 2006, Diong will be able to join in June 2024 when he will turn 18. pic.twitter.com/KWAxzu2vKI
Romano shows Diong in the stands alongside club officials and in action for his country in a recent fixture against France.
Like with Paez, Diong would have to wait before officially joining Chelsea, with a transfer not possible until 2024.
Nevertheless, a deal is said to be close to completion and will eventually further bolster the youngsters that are learning their craft at Cobham.
Darren Plant
