Chelsea send scouts to AFCON to monitor 'perfect' long-term Thiago Silva replacement

Chelsea have sent scouts to the AFCON to keep tabs on transfer target Ousmane Diomande who is playing for host nation Ivory Coast, LondonWorld can confirm. The Blues are in the market for a replacement for Thiago Silva who turns 40 in September. 

The Brazilian's contract is up in the summer despite being a mainstay in the first team under Mauricio Pochettino, there are indications this will be the final season for Silva at the Bridge. Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana have all arrived at the club in the last year but there is a need to augment the backline when Silva leaves which has led to a strong interest in highly-rated Diomande. 

Chelsea boss Pochettino could not confirm if Silva would be at the club after this season ahead of the game against Aston Villa this evening. He told reporters when asked about the Brazilian's future: "We didn’t talk about the next season. Because I didn’t hear, I don’t know what I can say about that.

"Only he knows and the club if it’s going to be his last season or not. I think always we talk about the present. It’s important for him to keep fit. With his age, he’s doing fantastic. We are so happy with him. 

"What is going to happen in the future, that’s for him." 

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Chelsea view Sporting’s Diomande as the ‘perfect’ player to take over from Silva and have sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old several times.

Diomande joined Sporting from Midtjylland just 12 months ago, following an impressive loan spell with Primeira Liga outfit Mafra. LondonWorld sources say Arsenal had a bid of around £20million turned down for the Ivorian in the summer.