Chelsea are ready to take a £10 million loss on Tiemoue Bakayoko amid claims that the French international could make a shock switch to Premier League rivals West Ham United, according to Le10 Sport.
If you judge us all at our worst, then the human race would be a pretty sorry species.
So, while Bakayoko’s reputation remains tainted by that dismal season at Chelsea in 2017/18, a man who helped inspire Monaco to the Ligue 1 title alongside Fabinho, Kylian Mbappe and Bernardo Silva surely deserves the benefit of the doubt – and the chance to prove himself all over again.
The 25-year-old has looked a man transformed since joining Chelsea’s loan legion, leaving Gennaro Gattuso awe-struck at AC Milan before helping Monaco pull clear of the relegation zone in a triumphant return to the Principality.
Le10 Sport claimed earlier this week that West Ham are keen to offer Bakayoko a fresh start in the Premier League. Now, reports from France have now shed more light on the situation.
Chelsea are desperate to get a number of fringe players off their books and Bakayoko can go for £30 million; some £10 million less than the Blues paid to bring him to Stamford Bridge three years ago.
Paris Saint-Germain had shown an interest but the Ligue 1 champions have been put off by Bakayoko’s price-tag, Le10 Sport adds. Ismael Bennacer, Fabian Ruiz and Lucas Paquetta, it seems, are more likely additions to Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
West Ham’s recent record in the transfer market leaves a lot to be desired, however. And paying £30 million for a man who flopped badly down the road at Stamford Bridge would certainly raise eyebrows among the London Stadium fan base.
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