SHOCK twist? Chelsea’s ‘1st summer signing’ to join Strasbourg PERMANENTLY

Pape Daouda Diong is actually set to join RC Strasbourg rather than Chelsea, according to French media.

The Senegalese wonderkid has long since been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Fabrizio Romano reported in February that his transfer to Chelsea was pretty much wrapped up and that the Blues were already deciding the next step for his career, with a loan move to BlueCo-owned sister club Strasbourg a distinct possibility.

Now, however, it seems that there has been something of a change of heart, though the end result will ultimately remain the same. According to Alsa Sports, the 17-year-old will actually join Strasbourg on a permanent deal rather than simply on loan.

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The local Alsatian outlet reports that the region’s biggest club are set to sign Diong on a five-year contract when he turns 18 in June. The towering central midfielder was spotted at Strasbourg’s Stade de la Meinau on Sunday during his new side’s 3-1 loss to Nice.

Diong still Chelsea-bound

Of course, there is not much of a difference between joining Chelsea and Strasbourg for Diong because he will eventually end up at Stamford Bridge anyway if he manages to live up to his potential.

From BlueCo’s perspective, however, a permanent move to Strasbourg may make more sense than merely a loan. They will still have control of the player’s destiny without any potential financial outlay on him weighing on Chelsea’s books. The Blues find themselves in a precarious Financial Fair Play situation and it seems they are willing to clutch at any possible straws.

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Diong, who has already trained with Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea squad, will join versatile midfielder Habib Diarra as one of the players at Strasbourg earmarked to eventually make the step up to BlueCo’s crown jewel in the Premier League.