Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal with Monaco over the potential sale of Tiemoue Bakayoko, according to RMC Sport reporter Mohamed Bouhafsi.
The 25-year-old’s former club are believed to be ready to take the midfielder on a season-long loan, with the option to buy at the end of the season for €35m (£32m):
Ça brûle pour #Bakayoko à Monaco ! Monaco et Chelsea sont tout proches de trouver un accord pour un prêt avec option d’achat de 35M€ ! Le joueur lui est d’ores et déjà d’accord avec Monaco. #RMCsport
— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) 28 August 2019
Considering they paid £40m for Bakayoko just two years ago, Chelsea may see it as a good deal considering they have been struggling to offload him for a while.
The Frenchman was sent out on loan to AC Milan last season but the Rossoneri opted against signing him on a permanent basis earlier this summer.
Bakayoko was then given opportunities by manager Frank Lampard during pre-season but he failed to impress the new Blues head coach and the club have been seeking a buyer for the player.
A return to Monaco would probably suit all parties, and if the report is true, it could lead to Chelsea recouping most of the fee they spent on the midfielder.