Chelsea could send Charly Musonda to Monaco in a deal for Tiemoue Bakayoko.
Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko celebrates scoring against Manchester City
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea could send winger Charly Musonda to Monaco in a deal for midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko – which would scupper Celtic’s hopes of landing him.
The Blues may have won the Premier League title at a canter, but manager Antonio Conte is still pursuing reinforcements during this summer’s transfer window as he looks to retain the crown in 2018.
Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
Whilst Conte does have N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas available, the Italian does appear to be pursuing another central midfielder, with Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko a top target.
Now, the Daily Mail report that Monaco have asked for Charly Musonda in a part-exchange deal for Bakayoko, as they look to lure the Belgian winger to the Stade Louis II this summer.
Manchester City’s Kean Bryan and Chelsea’s Charly Musonda in action
Musonda showed promise during a loan spell with Real Betis last season, but the wide man couldn’t replicate that form with Betis earlier this term, and was sent back to Chelsea in January.
Musonda failed to feature under Conte, and the 20-year-old could head to Monaco this summer in search of first-team football, which would be something of a blow to Celtic.
Chelsea’s Charly Musonda and Manchester City’s Kean Bryan in action
The Daily Mail recently claimed that Celtic were hoping to take Musonda on loan for next season, and Brendan Rodgers’ hopes of securing such a deal will be heavily dented by rumours of a move to Monaco.
Celtic’s hope would be that Chelsea prefer to loan Musonda out and use him in the future rather than letting him leave for Monaco permanently, with Rodgers no doubt keeping tabs on the Bakayoko situation.
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