Sporting Lisbon have rejected an offer from Chelsea for Ousmane Diomande which included Trevoh Chalobah as part of the deal, according to the Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Italian newspaper claims Sporting “said no” to the proposal as they look to hold out for the Ivorian international’s €80m (£69.4m) release clause.

Diomande appears to be one of the Blues’ main targets for the January transfer window. It has already been reported that the London club have made an enquiry about the defender’s availability.

However, with Sporting keen to keep hold of their best players as they look to mount a title challenge, securing Diomande’s services this month could prove difficult for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

A number of other Premier League teams also want Diomande

The centre-back has other suitors in England, with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle having also been credited with an interest in the player over the past few months.

It means that Sporting are under no pressure to sell Diomande, and it is not at all surprising that they were not open to a part-exchange deal involving Chalobah.

Why are Chelsea trying to get rid of Chalobah?

Offloading homegrown players helps balance the books. In terms of Financial Fair Play (FFP), Chalobah cost nothing to sign so his sale goes down as pure profit on the balance sheet.

Chalobah is currently struggling with a problematic hamstring injury and, as he hasn’t played a single game this season, Pochettino would likely be open to selling him, unlike fellow academy graduate Conor Gallagher.

For now, it looks like a move to Sporting is dead in the water but there is every chance that Chalobah will leave Stamford Bridge by the end of January if a club can be found.

Roma and Crystal Palace are said to be the two favourites to secure the defender’s signature at the moment.