Newcastle United’s interest in signing Chelsea FC outcast Tiemoue Bakayoko is being battled by fellow Premier League sides Watford and West Ham United. All three English top-flight teams have inquired about the midfielder’s availability in the summer.
The sale of the 25-year old Bakayoko by the Blues this summer seems certain. The French international does not seem to fit into Lampard’s squad restoration plans at Stamford Bridge. Moreover, there are plenty of talented midfield options at Lampard’s disposal currently at Chelsea FC.
Bakayoko spent the 2019-20 season on loan at his former club AS Monaco. The midfielder has featured 20 times for the French side and has scored one goal. However, AS Monaco decided against activating the buy-out clause in Bakayoko’s loan agreement.
With football having been suspended in France a while back, Bakayoko has since moved back to London to assess his future options.
Besides interest from Premier League teams, there have also been enquiries made about Bakayoko’s signing by Italian giant’s AC Milan. Bakayoko spent the 2018-19 season on loan at the Serie A side and was subject to praise for his good performances in the Milan shirt. Moreover, Ligue 1 side OGC Nice are also reported to be in the race to sign Bakayoko in the summer.
Nice, which is managed by Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira are in need of a holding midfielder and seem have to finalized upon Bakayoko as their man for the job. However, more surprisingly Nice’s rivals in the French league, Paris Saint-Germain also have Bakayoko on their shortlist ahead of next season.
PSG consider Bakayoko as their alternative signing if they miss out on the transfer of Tottenham Hotspur’s Tanguy Ndombele. Jose Mourinho is reluctant to let Ndombele leave after just one season with the Spurs. In such an event, PSG could make a move for Bakayoko on a permanent transfer basis.
The 25-year old Frenchman has two years remaining on his current Chelsea FC contract. The Blues will be looking forward to selling the player in the summer to raise some more funds that can be used to finance their spending spree in the transfer market. With Kai Havertz’s signature, a top priority for Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge, Bakayoko’s future in the Blues shirt is seemingly over.
