chelsea had already placed Ousmane Diomande high on their defensive shortlist for the summer. However, now, bournemouth Sporting are also on the move for the defender as the race for the Premier League grows closer to them.
The 22-year-old centre-back has become one of the hottest defensive names on the market after a season that has boosted his reputation across Europe.
Initially, the strongest English interest came from Crystal Palace, which Traced a move worth almost €50m (£43m) last year. Since then, the market around Diomande has changed dramatically.
Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Newcastle United and Manchester United have all been linked at various stages.
However, Chelsea remains different because of its Clear need for defensive reinforcement.
Chelsea sees Diomande as ideal profile
Latest reports from Portuguese outlets game Diomonde is already said to be one of Chelsea's defensive targets under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea spent large parts of the season struggling with defensive instability. Injuries, inconsistency and frequent changes at centre-back caused major problems throughout the campaign.
And of course Alonso hasn't even officially started at Stamford Bridge yet, but planning for the next transfer window is already underway.
The report presents Diomande as one of the names being discussed for Chelsea's defensive rebuild ahead of the new era under the Spaniard.
Bournemouth now entering the picture
The latest development in this story is the emergence of Bournemouth. According to the same report, the south coast club are looking at Diomande as a possible replacement for Marcos Senesi.
It introduces another Premier League contender into an already crowded race.
Bournemouth may not operate at the same level as Chelsea, PSG or Bayern Munich financially, but their emergence in the race should not be underestimated.
Unlike Chelsea, the south coast club have already secured European football for next season, and this could become a key factor in talks about the defender's future.
Under its current structure, Bournemouth has developed into one of the most competitive and well-organized emerging projects in English football.
Their recruitment has been aggressive and smart, and clubs are willing to compete for players who have previously overlooked that level of Premier League team.
Sports conscious pressure is increasing
Sporting renewed Diomande's contract earlier this year until 2030 and retained his €80m (£69m) release clause.
Nevertheless, Portuguese reports indicate that the club would negotiate below that figure if the right offer came forward.
That number is also increasing. Earlier discussions centered around €50m (£43m). Recent reports suggest that Sporting can now expect a move closer to €60m (£52m).
And with the World Cup around the corner, it's likely that valuations will rise further.
Chelsea clearly remain serious contenders due to their need for a defensive upgrade and Xabi Alonso's interest in the player.
But Bournemouth joining the race is another sign that the market for Diomande is moving fast - and becoming increasingly difficult for any one club to control.
