Chelsea close in on £35m Tiemoue Bakayoko which will open door for Nemanja Matic to join Manchester United
Blues boss Antonio Conte wants dynamic Monaco star in engine room with Jose Mourinho keen on Matic reunion
CHELSEA are closing in on Monaco star Tiemoue Bakayoko, which could pave the way for Nemanja Matic to join Manchester United.
Blues boss Antonio Conte wants the £35million Frenchman to add dynamism to his midfield as he shapes up for a title defence.
Bakayoko joined Monaco in 2014 and enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season.
The ex-Rennes star, 22, made his France debut against Spain in March after being called up to replace Paul Pogba.
Matic was a key figure alongside N'Golo Kante in Conte's title-winning midfield but would be allowed to leave if Bakayoko joins.
Tiemoue Bakayoko factfile
- Bakayoko, 22, was born in Paris on August 17 1994.
- He started played for Parisien side Paris 15eme O when he was just five
- Four years later, aged nine, he moved to another local team CA Paris Charenton and then on the Montrogue FC 92.
- He moved to Rennes in 2008 to join their academy when he was just 13.
- Bakayoko made 24 appearances for Rennes in midfield before being sold to Monaco in 2014 for £7million.
- He has played 92 games for Monaco in three seasons giving him 120 first-team appearances in total.
- Bakayoko earned his first France cap in March after coming on for Adrien Rabiot during a 2-0 defeat to Spain.
- He was the man who knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League with his header making it 6-6 on aggregate.
- He has been described as a less flashy, more defensive version of Paul Pogba.
The Italian is building a squad to fit his style after a superb debut season in England.
Mourinho signed Matic, 28, for Chelsea from Benfica in 2014 and is a huge fan of the Serbian playmaker.
Michael Carrick has signed a one-year extension but as the veteran nears the end of his career the Special One wants younger legs.
Victor Lindelof has already joined in a £31million deal from Benfica as Mourinho aims to build on a solid start at Old Trafford.
Victory in the Europa League final secured United's place among Europe's elite through an unconventional route despite a poor Prem campaign.
But club chiefs will expect a better domestic challenge this season from the Portuguese tactician, who also won the League Cup after landing his dream job.