Romano announces €20m Chelsea signing

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 21 Dec 2023 07:47 GMT
• 3 min read

Fabrizio Romano has announced that Chelsea are set to land another prodigious young talent, with the football transfer news expert declaring that Pape Diong will join the Stamford Bridge side.

The Senegal U17 youngster was spotted in the Blues’ directors’ box as they defeated Newcastle on penalties in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, with Kendry Paez, who has already committed his future to the Stamford Bridge club, also present.

The Evening Standard previously reported that Chelsea are in “advanced talks” with the AF Darou Salam midfielder, who has been linked with a €20 million move to the club.

Romano, though, has revealed exactly what the Blues’ plans are for the player.

“We know Kendry Paez was at Stamford Bridge for the first time to watch the Blues in their Carabao Cup win over Newcastle, but behind him in the stands was another player…Pape Diong,” he wrote in the Daily Briefing.

“Born in 2006, a very tall and physical midfield player from Senegal, Diong will join the Chelsea group. The idea for Chelsea is sign the player for 2024 when he turns 18 in June, and then he will probably go to Strasbourg for the start of his career in Europe, and then later to Chelsea.”

Ramsdale to Chelsea latest

Romano also dropped an update on the goalkeeper situation at Chelsea as rumours persist they could sign Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal.

“I also wanted to clarify the transfer rumours involving Aaron Ramsdale - these stories keep coming back, especially after the injury to Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez,” he said.

“However, I’m still told that Ramsdale is not on Chelsea’s list, there is no plan to sign the Arsenal goalkeeper.

“It’s still very quiet in terms of Chelsea’s plans for goalkeepers this January, as for the moment they are very happy with Djorde Petrovic as cover for Sanchez.”