Tiémoué Bakayoko is AS Monaco’s plan B — report

As we enter the final week of the European transfer window, Tiémoué Bakayoko’s latest drawn out transfer move is slowly winding to some sort of conclusion. It’s been assumed for a while that said conclusion would involve a return to AS Monaco on loan, from where Chelsea signed him in the first place, but it’s been repeatedly thrown into doubt as well, first with Bakayoko having doubts, then by Chelsea having doubts, and now, apparently by Monaco themselves having doubts, of sorts.

Just last week, Monaco had been “prioritising” Bakayoko’s return, but now, according to RMC’s latest, the primary target is Bakayoko’s former AC Milan teammate (and former Chelsea transfer target) Franck Kessié. Kessié’s two-year loan was just made permanent by the Rossoneri as per their agreement with Atalanta, but apparently they’re open to offers — though Monaco have yet to meet their demands.

Still, it seems like Bakayoko remains the best option for Monaco, and going back to Monaco remains the best option for Bakayoko, and at the end of the day, Chelsea shouldn’t care too much as long as Bakayoko’s doing something other than rotting on the bench or in the reserves, so let’s get this thing done.