In a significant development, Chelsea Football Club have reportedly finalized an acquisition deal for the highly-touted 17-year-old midfielder, Pape Daouda Diong, hailing from a football academy in Senegal. According to reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano, the deal has been completed, marking another instance of a major club swooping in to secure a young talent before they turn 18.
The lanky midfielder recently made headlines after being spotted in the owner’s box at Stamford Bridge a few weeks ago, alongside future signing Kendry Páez and co-owner Behdad Eghbali.
While Romano’s report does not disclose the exact transfer fee, earlier speculations suggested an approximate sum of €20 million. This investment underscores Chelsea’s commitment to securing promising talents early on, a strategy in line with the trend observed among other financially robust clubs.
Pape Daouda Diong to join Chelsea after turning 18
Diong, who is associated with AF Darou Salam, is set to join Chelsea after he reaches the age of 18 in the upcoming summer. The move aligns with Chelsea’s strategy of utilizing their expansive scouting network to identify and sign some of the brightest prospects in global football.
The young Senegalese talent, having been pictured in Chelsea’s directors’ box during a recent match against Newcastle, witnessed the team’s progression to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. His presence alongside 16-year-old wonderkid Kendry Paez, who has already secured a £17.2 million pre-contract deal with Chelsea from Independiente del Valle in 2025, signals the club’s focus on building a formidable squad for the future.
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Despite criticism directed at Chelsea’s young first-team squad under manager Mauricio Pochettino, the club remains dedicated to its youth-centric approach. Players like Diong are expected to contribute to this strategy, with potential loan moves within the club’s multi-club model, which currently includes Chelsea and RC Strasbourg, with further expansion anticipated in the coming years.
As Chelsea continues to bolster their ranks with emerging talents, the football world will be closely watching the development of Diong and others within the club’s youth system.