There have been more ups and downs and false starts and delays and frustrations than we can count in this rollercoaster of transfer that started back in December, but today, finally, after completing his medical earlier today, Chelsea have signed 22-year-old midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko from AS Monaco.
Welcome to Chelsea, @TimoeB08!
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 15, 2017
https://t.co/XA1aBMBFU8#BakasBlue pic.twitter.com/IlrH2bIBlC
Bakayoko started his professional career at Rennes in 2013 before moving to Monaco in summer 2014. He spent his first two years at Stade Louis II as a back-up to the vast array of midfielders present in the club's squad before cementing his place as a regular starter and key contributor to their league-winning campaign and Champions League semifinals appearance last season. His performances at Monaco saw him earn his first cap for the French national team while also being named in the 2016-17 Champions League's Squad of the Season.
Arriving for a transfer fee of £35 £40 million and signing a five-year contract, Bakayoko is expected to slot in as the replacement for Nemanja Matić in Antonio Conte's starting line-ups.
Welcome to the Bridge, Tiemoué Bakayoko! Let’s win some things.