Monaco midfielder rules out January move despite Premier League ‘dreams’

Monaco midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko is supposedly one of several names on Chelsea’s shortlist for January, though as it tends to be the case with all young, promising players, the Blues are hardly alone in keeping tabs on the 22-year-old breakout star on the French Riviera. Not that it matters as the young Frenchman isn’t ready to leave Monaco just yet.

"The idea of an exit crossed my mind at the start of the season. I didn't know what the club wanted to do with me. Maybe I wasn't putting in the necessary effort. What triggered everything was the confidence of the coach. That changes everything. I needed to feel important in the team and take matters into my own hands.”

"Friends told me [about the interest] but I don't pay it any attention. I've had a good first six months but the season is not over. I won't leave Monaco this winter, that's for sure. I don't want to leave. ASM are a beautiful club.”

"Certainly the Premier League makes you dream but I have no reason to leave this winter. Today, I have two goals: to finish as a champion in France and to go as far as possible in the Champions League."

-Tiemoué Bakayoko; source: Eurosport via FourFourTwo

Sounds like Bakayoko could be open to a summer move; he’s modern football-savvy enough to not rule anything beyond this January out.

Bakayoko’s rumored price would be in the region of €40m, which is apparently the new going rate for any young, talented midfielder these days.