Alonso could beat Liverpool to sign the £85m star

It's no secret that Chelsea have been known to splash the cash in recent seasons, but BlueCo may need to re-issue the checkbook this summer.

Xabi Alonso's arrival as manager has brought a new sense of excitement to the fans – as the Spaniard has won a title during his time in charge.

The 44-year-old managed to win the Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023/24 campaign, and he managed to achieve the title while going undefeated.

However, if he is to come close to the Premier League title race next season, he will need the West London boss to listen to his transfer demands.

Although he did not take office until July 1, the recruitment team appears to have already begun the process of identifying new candidates before his arrival.

Chelsea could outbid Liverpool for £85m

Given Chelsea's moves in the transfer market in recent years, it wouldn't be surprising to see the management spend a penny again this summer.

The midfield department could be strengthened ahead of Alonso's arrival, with Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes emerging as one transfer target.

In recent days it has been reported that there have been talks with the Magpies about a potential deal – which has led to rumors that they will swap money and many members of the Blues squad.

However, it appears that the attacking department could be strengthened during the season, with RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande emerging as an unlikely target.

According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are monitoring the Ivorian's current situation and could compete with Liverpool for the 19-year-old's signature in the coming months.

The report says that Alonso's former club is the front runner in the race for the midfielder, but it does not rule out the Blues from joining the wanted player.

An £85m fee has been charged to land the youngster this summer, with Leipzig refusing to let go of the attacking star – even offering him a new contract in recent days.

Why Diomande will be Chelsea's next Eden Hazard

Despite investing heavily in Chelsea's playing squad in recent seasons, no striker has been able to come close to the levels produced by Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian arrived as an unknown price to many fans back in 2012, as the Blues splashed out around £32m to sign the Lille attacker.

However, the 35-year-old established himself as a fans' favorite during his seven years in West London, helping the Blues to two Premier League titles.

Hazard made 352 appearances during his time in the capital, netting 110 goals and assisting 88 – and now sits eighth in the club's top scorers list.

He left in a £150m deal to join Real Madrid back in the summer of 2019, the huge return on his signature only cementing his place as one of the club's best signings.

Alonso will no doubt wish he could rely on such talent while in charge of the Blues, but Diomande's departure could give him a similar attacking star.

Despite being just 19 years old, the Ivory Coast international has lit up the Bundesliga this term, as seen with 12 goals and eight assists in his 33 appearances.

His ability to score and provide assists to his teammates is Belgian-like – but it's his basic stats that show why the Leipzig star could follow in his footsteps.

Diomande, dubbed “spectacular” by commentator Kevin Hatchard, completed 4.3 successful dribbles per 90 this quarter – more than any player in Germany's top flight.

His ability to pass through the opposition is something that Hazard has shown freely at the Blues, and the Ivorian can be seen as the next player to get fans off their seats at the Bridges.

His creativity has caught the eye in Germany, as the youngster has managed to create 2.1 chances out of 90 this season – 0.6 of which have been described as big chances.

The latter places him in the top 10% of all strikers in Europe in 2025/26 – further highlighting the similarities with Hazard who often took on the role of key creator during his time in England.

Diomande's final product has been there for all to see in recent months, with only five players able to register more combined goals and assists in the Bundesliga this season.

Spending £85m on the youngster would be a big statement from the Blues' management, but it is a move that could give Alonso the level of player he needs to succeed in West London.

Matching Hazard's success at Bridgen would be an almost impossible task, but Diomande has the chance to write his name in the club's history if he can deliver the goods in any move.