Chelsea plot ‘£156m double transfer swoop’ as the Blues turn their attention to Portugal in a bid to strengthen Mauricio Pochettino’s side in January with former Championship striker

Chelsea are reportedly plotting a £156m double transfer swoop with one of the players they are interested in recruiting playing in the Championship last season.

The Blues are expected to splash the cash again when the January transfer window opens having already spent over £1billion on new players since Todd Boehly‘s ownership takeover.

Mauricio Pochettino wants to make improvements to his squad following an unconvincing first half of the season that has left Chelsea in midtable and aiming for silverware in the Carabao Cup.

Chelsea’s biggest struggles has come in the goals department and Pochettino is expected to bring in a new striker, with a Sporting Lisbon star being discussed for a transfer.

Victor Osimhen is one candidate being monitored, but the Napoli striker isn’t expected to leave Italy in the winter window and a summer move is more likely while Arsenal are also interested.

Former Championship striker Viktor Gyokeres is being monitored for a potential move

A lack of movement in the mid-season transfer window has seen Chelsea turn their attention to Sporting pair Ousmane Diomande and Viktor Gyokeres in a £156million double swoop, as reported by The Evening Standard.

The pair only moved to the Portuguese club in the past 12 months with Diomande joining in January and Gyokeres moving in the summer from Coventry.

Centre-back Diomande left Danish side Midtjylland in January for £6.5m, but Sporting have revalued their asset and now want £69m for the 20-year-old.

Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande (middle) is also well-liked at Chelsea

Chelsea’s initial approach was rebuffed, with Sporting holding out for their asking price given that 20 per cent of the transfer fee goes back to his former club.

Negotiations are also ongoing for Swedish striker Gyokeres who left Coventry following…