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Chelsea transfer news: Blues have made a £32m bid for Monaco star

By Christopher Godfrey

MONACO - MARCH 15: Fabinho, Joao Moutinho and Tiemoue Bakayoko of AS Monaco celebrate victory after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco and Manchester City FC at Stade Louis II on March 15, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. Monaco won by 3 goals to 1 and progress to the quarter finals on the away goals rule. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
MONACO - MARCH 15: Fabinho, Joao Moutinho and Tiemoue Bakayoko of AS Monaco celebrate victory after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco and Manchester City FC at Stade Louis II on March 15, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. Monaco won by 3 goals to 1 and progress to the quarter finals on the away goals rule. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea transfer news: Tiemoue Bakayoko has agreed on personal terms with Chelsea and the Blues have now made a £32m bid for the Monaco star. according to multiple outlets.

Recent Chelsea transfer news has come out with Sky Sports journalist Guillem Balague claiming Chelsea have already reached an agreement with the 22-year-old.

And now, According to RTL journalist Bertrand Latour the Premier League leaders have bid £32m for the player along with £5m in bonuses.

Antonio Conte is looking to bolster his squad to prepare for Champions League football next season.

And while it’s thought that United manager Jose Mourinho is also after the defensive midfielder but it looks as if Chelsea is his preferred destination.

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Bakayoko has recently earned a call-up for the French national side following his impressive displays, replacing Paul Pogba who is injured.

He looks a fantastic defensive midfielder and protects the Monaco defense while the attackers surge forward. He’s also good playing in more advanced positions and he’d certainly be an upgrade on Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic.

Bakayoko is better with both of his feet (rather than the one-footed Matic), and recently scored an important header against Manchester City advancing them to the quarter finals of the Champions League.

He has recently turned down a contract extension at Monaco and looks set on moving elsewhere.

He will certainly form a scaringly formidable partnership with N’Golo Kante. Bakayoko’s height (6ft 2 inches) and strength will make up for Kante’s lack of size.

In 20 Ligue 1 appearances he has an average of two aerial duels won per game while making an average of 2.2 tackles per game (whoscored). Bakayoko’s ability in the air will certainly complement Kante’s tackling abilities.

In the Champions League he has been even more impressive with 3 tackles and 2.9 interceptions made per game in seven appearances. Bakayoko also likes to dribble with the ball which would also contrast Kante’s style of releasing the ball early with a short pass once he’s won possession.

I can’t think of any other better defensive midfield partnerships in the world if this Chelsea transfer news is true. Kante and Bakayoko would dominate England and Europe next season.

Additionally, the two are both French and will play together for the French team and for Chelsea. This would mean they would develop an immense chemistry and understanding with each other which would both benefit Chelsea and France.

There seems to be some confusion though as other reports are stating he could be going to Manchester United.

Bakayoko started out at Ligue 1 team Rennes where he made his senior debut in August 2013. He then went to Monaco in 2014 where he has impressed ever since.

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If the news is true, then it shows that Conte isn’t totally comfortable with his current squad to compete in both the Champions League and the Premier League. If we’ve learnt anything from Leicester’s decline this season and Chelsea’s decline last season, the squad can’t be content. It’s crucial that managers sign good players to compete for a first team place.

Nemanja Matic might struggle for game time though with N’Golo Kante and Bakayoko while Fabregas, Chalobah and Loftus-Cheek are waiting on the bench.

This news could mean that Matic is on his way out at the end of the season. While he has had a good season, he’s not brilliant going forward. He’s also struggled in high-intensity and fast paced matches where the opponents press high up the field. Matic struggles to find a pass while on the ball and he struggles to keep up with the play while the opponents have the possession.

Signing an upgrade on Matic is a smart move from Antonio Conte and Bakayoko looks like an ideal candidate.

It’s up to the board now whether or not Chelsea sign him as Conte is not in charge of transfers at the club.  But if he’s told the board and the owner that Bakayoko is the player he wants then I’m sure Chelsea will put money on the table.

Next: Extent of Eden Hazard injury revealed

Recent Chelsea transfer news revealed that Conte will have £200m to spend this summer. So if Monaco want more for the player, I’m sure Chelsea can beat any other contenders… apart from maybe Manchester United if they spend big.

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