Manchester City and Chelsea make approaches for 22-year-old Monaco midfielder

In recent weeks, it seems like the entire Monaco side has been linked with moves to leading European clubs, particularly the Premier League giants. The likes of Kylian Mbappé, Bernardo Silva, Thomas Lemar and Djibril Sidibé have all been suggested as targets for Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham. And earlier today, an old link resurfaced, when Fabinho’s father admitted that City have held talks over a move for his son, who was first linked in 2015.

It should come as no surprise. Monaco, City’s next opponents in the Champions League, are playing some incredible football this year under Leonardo Jardim, which has led to not only their key players filling transfer gossip columns, but Jardim himself being mooted as a replacement for Arsène Wenger at Arsenal.

Another name who could be on his way out of the Stade Louis II this summer is combative holding midfielder, Tiémoué Bakayoko, who was first linked with Premier League sides in January.

Manchester City, Chelsea & United are involved in a three-way tussle for powerful Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko (22). [@DuncanCastles] pic.twitter.com/FPnnJjMzmN

— City Watch (@City_Watch) January 8, 2017

According to an exclusive report by Le10sport, 22-year-old Bakayoko, a France under-21 international, has received his first serious approaches from the Premier League in recent weeks.

Representatives of Manchester City and Chelsea are said to have contacted Bakayoko’s entourage, who both believe the steely midfielder, who has 2 goals, 1 assist, and a pass success rate of 87.9% this season, would improve their squad.

Monaco’s priority, as with all their stars, is to keep the player and renew his contact, but Le10sport claims that if an offer of around €30 million (£25.5 million) were to arrive for Bakayoko, they would not rule out a sale. In fact, they are already considering a replacement in the form of 21-year-old Soualiho Meïté, who has been loaned (with an option to buy) to Zulte Waregem in Belgium from Lille.

Bakayoko is the type of hungry, technically good young talent who could help to continue Pep Guardiola’s overhaul of what has been an ageing Manchester City squad. The renovation of City’s forward line is now almost complete, but major changes on the defensive side of the pitch are expected this coming summer.

Would Bakayoko be a good signing? Here are some highlights of the youngster in action for Monaco.