Chelsea edging towards deal for Bakayoko to go

Chelsea remain in talks with Monaco over a potential loan deal for Tiemoue Bakayoko, who appears to be edging closer to rejoining the Ligue 1 side. 

The 25-year-old midfielder has failed to impress since joining Chelsea in the summer of 2017 and is way down the pecking order under new manager Frank Lampard.

He spent last season on loan with AC Milan and. although he was part of the Blues squad during pre-season, the France international has been constantly linked with a move away.

• Monaco make move for Bakayoko
• Batshuayi staying but other could go

Talks with Turkish side Galatasaray failed to lead to a deal, but a move seems inevitable with N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mason Mount, Ross Barkley, Mateo Kovacic and the soon-to-be-fit Ruben Loftus-Cheek all preferred midfield options for Lampard.

Monaco recently made an approach for him and reports later claimed Chelsea had blocked the move.

However, that was not the case, with the two clubs still negotiating the terms of Bakayoko’s move ahead of the European transfer deadline, which is on 2 September.