Napoli leading PSG in Tiemoue Bakayoko pursuit
According to GFNF (h/t Football.london), Serie A giants Napoli are leading French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign forgotten Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.
The 26-year-old midfielder joined Chelsea in the summer of 2017 from French outfit AS Monaco. However, he failed to make the desired impact under then manager Antonio Conte.
As a result, he was loaned out to AC Milan for the 2018/19 campaign. After a mixed season in Italy, Bakayoko returned to his roots last summer, joining Monaco on a year-long temporary deal.
The Frenchman fared decently in the curtailed 2019/20 campaign in France. However, given Chelsea’s wealth of options in the midfield department, he has no place in the plans of manager Frank Lampard.
PSG have shown an interest in signing the French international for a while now. However, as per the aforementioned report, it is Napoli who are currently the frontrunners to sign Bakayoko from Chelsea.
Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso worked with Bakayoko during his time on loan at AC Milan. And the Italian tactician is now believed to be keen on a reunion at Stadio San Paolo this summer. (h/t Football.london)
More Chelsea News
- Inter Milan ready to move for Chelsea star Marcos Alonso
- Frank Lampard reassures Chelsea squad after Marcos Alonso confrontation
- Ian Wright tips Callum Hudson-Odoi to force Chelsea exit
Given the huge spending spree that the club has overseen this summer, it is time to balance the books with some player sales.
There have been a number of loan exits so far, with the likes of Conor Gallagher and Ross Barkley leaving for temporary spells. However, Bakayoko could kick off an exodus of players that are not in Lampard’s plans for the season.
Bakayoko has featured just 43 times for Chelsea so far, scoring and assisting three goals apiece. He still has two years left on his contract with the club. But, it is highly unlikely that we will see him don a Blue Chelsea shirt again.