Chelsea reach terms with Monaco over Tiemoue Bakayoko transfer for £35 million
By George Perry
Tiemoue Bakayoko may have his picture taken alongside Romelu Lukaku whenever Chelsea decide to trouble themselves to announce formally their first transfers. The Blues could acquire the midfielder for well less than Monaco’s initial valuation.
Monaco initially demanded £43 million for the French international. Earlier this month, Monaco rejected Manchester City’s bid for Benjamin Mendy. They valued Mendy at £40 million – the least amount they were willing to accept for any of their star players, according to the Telegraph.
If Chelsea ultimately pay £35 million for Bakayoko, the club deserve high credit for their negotiation. The lower fee raises the question whether the Blues agreed – perhaps tacitly – to loan Michy Batshuayi to Monaco as part of the deal. Monaco have been interested in a Batshuayi loan, and may have factored that into the Bakayoko negotiations.
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Batshuayi, for his part, would welcome a move to Monaco over some of the other rumoured loan destinations. His first priority is ensuring consistent playing time this season, with a solid number of starts. Monaco’s style of play would suit him better than West Ham or Everton, two possible Premier League destinations. However Everton, like Monaco, view Batshuayi as part of the compensation for the proven player they are selling to Chelsea.
If Michy Batshuayi is part of the Bakayoko transfer, Chelsea would have made it contingent on resolving the rest of their striker situation. The Blues will want Romelu Lukaku safely ensconced at Cobham before they allow Batshuayi to leave.
Confirming Tiemoue Bakayoko will increase the pressure and motivation to sell Nemanja Matic. Bakayoko would take Matic’s place in the midfield alongside N’Golo Kante. Manchester United are in the mix for Matic, as Jose Mourinho looks to reunite with one of his preferred midfielders. Chelsea will be more receptive to United’s overtures once Bakayoko is in place.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Romelu Lukaku and Tiemoue Bakayoko took significant steps forward this week. If the Blues can formally announce these two on July 1, they will have completed a major portion of their summer business well before training camp.
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This will send a strong message of intent regarding their ambitions, both in their Premier League title defence and the Champions League. It will also show they have learned from their prior years of delaying transfers until late August, another welcome change in the Antonio Conte era.