Incoming Chelsea signings Kendry Paez, centre, and Pape Daouda Diong, right (Photo: Getty)
Chelsea are reportedly close to signing Pape Daouda Diong after the Senegal wonderkid was spotted at Stamford Bridge.
The 17-year-old was in the stands for Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle United.
Mykhailo Mudryk’s stoppage time equaliser sent the match to penalties, with the Blues winning the shootout to advance to the semi-finals.
Diong was pictured next to fellow teenage midfielder Kendry Paez who is set to join Chelsea from Ecuadorian side Independiente Del Valle in 2025.
And it seems that both will be playing at Stamford Bridge in the not too distant future, as Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea’s deal to sign Diong from AF Darou Salam is almost done.
The Senegal U17 star won’t be joining the Blues until June 2024 however, when he turns 18.
It is said that Mauricio Pochettino’s side will pay £17.5million for his services.
Diong will join Chelsea next summer, while Paez will sign in 2025 (Photo: Getty)
The promising starlet plays as a defensive midfielder and made four appearances for his country at the U17 World Cup in November.
He helped Senegal beat Argentina and Japan in the group stage before being kncoked out on penalties by eventual runners-up France, with Diong missing the only spot-kick of the shoot-out.
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Since Todd Boehly’s takeover, Chelsea have made a habit of snapping on wonderkids from all around the world, like Andrey Santos, David Datro Fofana and Deivid Washington.
Following their cup victory, the West Londonders will be hoping to keep up winning ways when they travel to Wolves for a Premier League clash on Christmas Eve.
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