AC Milan are reportedly set to make a transfer decision which could play perfectly into the hands of Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham United.
West Ham showed real ambition in the summer firstly by appointing title-winning manager Manuel Pellegrini and then by backing him with £100 million worth of new signings.
The Chilean moved to strengthen all areas of the Hammers squad.
But despite bringing in the likes of Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez, their subsequent injury layoffs, the loss of Manuel Lanzini through his serious pre-World Cup knee injury and the departure of Cheikhou Kouyate and Edimilson Fernandes have left West Ham short in the heart of the team.
The Hammers were linked with a host of central midfielders during the summer.
Three names that West Ham were keen on were all at the same club, London rivals Chelsea.
Chelsea midfield trio Danny Drinkwater, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tiemoue Bakayoko were all linked with a potential move across London (Daily Mail).
When the transfer window slammed shut in August, though, Drinkwater and Loftus-Cheek remained with the Blues while Bakayoko was shipped out on loan to Italian giants AC Milan.
The former Monaco star has failed to make an impact at the San Siro, though, with just four appearances so far.
And according to Corriere dello SportMilan are ‘determined’ to send Bakayoko back to Chelsea early as manager Gennaro Gattuso does not see him as part of his plans.
The French paper claims Gattuso ‘doesn’t seem to consider the Frenchman suitable for Italian football or the Rossoneri’s game’.
That could play perfectly into the hands of Pellegrini given how difficult it is to find quality additions in the January window.
Bakayoko may have had a bad time of it at Stamford Bridge and in Italy but he has great pedigree and would represent a superb addition for the Hammers given their lack of depth in midfield.
At 24 Bakayoko, who cost Chelsea a whopping £40 million, has a long career ahead of him and the West Londoners appear keen to get him off their wage bill.
A six-month loan with an option to buy would suit all parties should Milan be successful in cutting his loan spell short.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
