Chelsea, AS Monaco hung up over financial concerns in Bakayoko loan deal — report

Tiémoué Bakayoko situation remains unresolved with a little over ten days left in the (European) summer transfer window.

While AS Monaco have reportedly ‘prioritised’ a deal for the 25-year-old midfielder, as per the French Transfer Oracle, Mohamed Bouhafsi, they have yet to meet Chelsea’s financial demands over the potential loan deal. It’s unclear if these demands are related strictly to wages, or the potential value of a buy-option (as the Mail seem to think), or have to do with concerns over Monaco’s ability to serve as a shop-window (as the Metro frame it).

And so, the move remains blocked, though there’s little reason to think that some sort of agreement won’t be reached before the end of the month — Chelsea may be wanting a more high-profile assignment, but teams aren’t exactly breaking down the doors for Bakayoko. Chelsea were willing to subsidize Danny Drinkwater’s loan to tiny Burnley, for example, paying half his wages, so perhaps a similar scenario will play out in Bakayoko’s hard-to-move case as well.

While Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina is another option for Monaco, and it may even be close to completion, it is understood that Bakayoko remains a primary target. Going back on loan to the club from where he signed with Chelsea could be quite beneficial for him personally as well, so hopefully something will be worked out indeed, and soon.