Chelsea and Tottenham poised for talks over winger with £68m release clause

Luis Diaz battles with Lionel Messi during Colombia vs Argentina in the Copa America, July 2021

Chelsea and Tottenham are set to hold talks with representatives of a winger who has a £68m release clause, a report has claimed.

The two London rivals have both had busy summers on the departure front. Thomas Tuchel has made the most of his first opportunity to shape his Chelsea squad. He has several outgoings completed or in the pipeline. New Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo, meanwhile, has seen six players leave permanently.

On the flip side, neither have recruited in numbers. Chelsea haven’t necessarily needed to, with the massive addition of Romelu Lukaku.

And Nuno has made three signings at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, including the £22.5m acquisition of Bryan Gil.

As such, both are still in the market for deals in the final week of the transfer window. They look like they could now be going head-to-head for one potential target.

Reports from Portugal are claiming the two are battling for 24-year-old Porto midfielder Luis Diaz.

Lisbon outlet Maisfutebol reported yesterday that Diaz’s advisors were travelling to England to hold talks with both clubs.

The Colombian international was already on their radar. However, his displays at Copa America this summer have sprung him to the forefront of their focus.

Diaz scored four times for his nation including a brace in the third-place play-off match against Peru. That was enough to put him top of the goalscoring charts for the competition alongside Lionel Messi.

Luis Diaz Porto Tottenham interest TEAMtalk

At club level, the winger joined Porto in 2019. He has a deal with them until 2024. This includes a £68m release clause.

In each of the last two seasons he has notched six goals and five assists in the Portuguese top-flight.

He has also excelled on the European stage. He’s netted three times in the Europa League and twice in the Champions League.

Spurs were credited with an interest last year under Jose Mourinho. And despite since moving on to Roma, Mourinho has maintained a close eye on Diaz.

Chelsea locked in two tussles

Atletico Madrid Marcos Llorente Saul Niguez August 2021

Meanwhile, Chelsea are locked in another battle with a different Premier League rival.

According to a report, the Blues and Manchester United are in a fierce race. This battle is to sign Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid.

Spanish publication AS, via Sport Witness, claims Saul is now on the verge of leaving Atletico Madrid permanently and is destined to play in the Premier League this season.

Which top-flight English side is the question. One report put United ahead, but another suggested Chelsea had taken the lead.

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