Chelsea have
finally reached an agreement with Monaco over the transfer of Tiemoue Bakayoko. The Premier
League champions will pay £40million plus add-ons for midfielder Bakayoko who
is scheduled to have a medical on Friday.
Without
another hitch he should be a Chelsea player by the end of the week which will
be a boost for Antonio Conte and his squad before they set off on pre-season
tour to China and Singapore.
The Italian
manager has been frustrated by problems in the transfer market.
Manchester
United hijacked a deal for Romelu Lukaku forcing Chelsea to turn to Alvaro
Morata, who was second on the list of options to replace Diego Costa as he
tries to secure a move to Atletico Madrid.
Bakayoko is
a long-standing target for Conte but the transfer has been beset by delays.
Keyhole knee
surgery at the end of the season postponed a planned medical and may rule him
out of the start of the campaign.
Conte is
concerned he will miss the start of pre-season training and will have ground to
make up on the rest of the squad but at least a deal has finally been struck.
Monaco were
determined to stand firm on their valuation and will receive the initial
payment of £40m which they demand.
Manchester
United made it clear they were willing to match the asking price but Bakayoko
was always keen on a move to London.
The fee will
rise depending on his performances and achievements at Stamford Bridge.
With the
move to Stamford Bridge edging closer, Bakayoko has been active on Twitter,
'liking' a number of messages thanking him for his efforts at Monaco and
wishing him good luck at Chelsea.
Bakayoko was
a midfield star in Monaco’s drive to the French title and the last four of the
Champions League last season.
His
boundless energy and ball-winning ability will fit neatly into Chelsea’s style.
At Monaco,
they have likened him to Yaya Toure since he was signed from Rennes three years
ago.
He will
forge partnership with his close friend and international team-mate N’Golo
Kante in the heart of Conte’s team.
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