Chelsea To Steal March On Man Utd By Opening Talks Over £43m Midfielder Deal

Managers are now making plans for the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Chelsea close in on a deal for Monaco star Tiemoue Bakayoko…

Chelsea will open formal negotiations with Monaco over the signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko with a deal for the midfielder expected to cost around £43m this summer, according to the Telegraph.

Bakayoko joined Monaco from Rennes in 2014 and has developed in to one of the best midfielders in Europe this season after playing a key role in helping Leonardo Jardim’s side clinch their first French league title since 2000.

The 22-year-old’s form has attracted interest from the Premier League with the Mirror citing a report from Le10 Sport recently that suggested Manchester United were leading Chelsea in the race to sign the midfielder.

Jose Mourinho is gearing-up for a busy summer as he needs to strengthen his squad if he’s to make United genuine title challengers again and Bakayoko could be viewed as the ideal long-term replacement for Michael Carrick.

However, it looks as though United could yet miss out as the Telegraph are reporting today that Chelsea are hoping to steal a march on their rivals by stepping up their own efforts to sign Bakayoko.

The newspaper claims that Chelsea will open negotiations with Monaco once the season ends next week with a deal expected to cost the Premier League champions around £42.7m.

If talks go smoothly, the report suggests that Bakayoko could even become Chelsea’s first signing of the transfer window as Antonio Conte looks to begin a £200m overhaul of his squad this summer.

Despite coasting to the title this season, the Italian coach knows he needs to strengthen if Chelsea are to compete in the league and Champions League next year and a new central midfielder appears to be a priority.

The Telegraph also claim that the west Londoners may use Michy Batshuayi as bait to tempt Monaco in to a deal with the striker facing an uncertain future despite scoring the goal that clinched the title against West Brom.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop and I’m sure Man Utd won’t let Chelsea sign Bakayoko without a fight but the Frenchman will be a superb signing if either club is able to secure a deal with Monaco this summer.