Chelsea offer the ‘best project’ but Bakayoko would love to play in Paris

AC Milan had the opportunity to take up the €35 million buy-option in Bakayoko’s loan contract at the end of the season, but having finished outside the Champions League spots, they were reluctant to do so. The team’s results towards the end of the season, combined with Bakayoko’s deteriorating relationship with the coaching staff — he admits that the relationship with Gattuso was “complicated”, if misreported — made that outcome not surprising, and that’s before consider the repeated racial abuse Bakayoko had suffered, with the Italian Football Federation doing nothing to prevent or even address these situations, as usual.

So what’s next for the 24-year-old? Chelsea appear to be priority, though he certainly wouldn’t mind playing in his hometown, where he holds a lot of memories as a true Parisian.

“I have three years left on my contract with Chelsea. They’re currently the best project on offer, but we’ll listen to other proposals.

“I really liked Conte. I also think Allegri has the same style. Leonardo brought me to Milan, it was he who allowed me to recover my form by putting his trust in me. I have a lot of respect for him and Milan.

“I’m glad he’s coming to Paris, they’re the club of my heart and city. I’m sure he’ll do a good job. I wish him the best there. Of course I’d like to play in Paris, I won’t deny it. It means a lot to my loved ones and I. We’re real Parisians.”

- Tiemoue Bakayoko; source: L’Equipe (via Football Italia)

Couple interesting hints in there, mentioning Allegri and talking up PSG (where the new sporting director is the same who signed him for Milan), but until and unless the coaching situation at Chelsea becomes clearer, it is difficult to predict whether Bakayoko he has a future at Stamford Bridge or not.

Whatever happens, we will be hoping to see the form and confidence Bakayoko displayed at his Milan best.