Update: Napoli have submitted an official bid
Napoli have submitted an official bid for Tiemoué Bakayoko to Chelsea. Simple loan without buy option offered on last few hours. Talks ongoing. @DiMarzio @SkySport #CFC #Chelsea #Napoli
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 2, 2020
Earlier:
Napoli joined the race for Tiémoué Bakayoko’s signature just yesterday, but in the topsy-turvy world of the calciomercato, things can change in an instant.
According to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), and L’Equipe, Gennaro Gattuso’s side are now in the driver’s seat for the midfielder’s signature. Napoli were initially planning to bid €2m as loan fee while covering €2m of Bakayoko’s €3.5m yearly wages, but that offer was turned down as Chelsea are apparently pushing for at least an option, if not an obligation to buy in any potential loan deal.
#Bakayoko attende: il #Milan l'ha sedotto e abbandonato, il #Napoli lo corteggia. #borsadipedullà #calciomercato https://t.co/sfeprF977B #premium
— LaGazzettadelloSport (@Gazzetta_it) October 2, 2020
However, the issues surrounding the deal seem to be getting resolved quickly, with Napoli now happy to accede to Chelsea’s wish. L’Equipe believes the transfer can even be concluded in ‘a couple of hours.’
That progress is confirmed by the Oracle of Sarri, who urges just a bit more patience for everything to get resolved.
Per chi lo chiede e siete tanti: #Bakayoko-#Napoli sempre più. Lui ha detto no a tutti, un minimo di pazienza ancora
— Alfredo Pedullà (@AlfredoPedulla) October 2, 2020
Hertha Berlin, Valencia and PSG were all supposedly interested in the 26-year-old’s services, but Bakayoko was not keen on Hertha and the others were unable or unwilling to meet Chelsea’s demand for a loan fee. So, Bakayoko now looks likely to be heading back to the Serie A with Napoli instead of AC Milan.
Transferts : Tiémoué Bakayoko pourrait quitter Chelsea pour Naples https://t.co/4RF8Zhdr8H pic.twitter.com/u2xeK4tNWW
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) October 2, 2020