PSG see Tiémoué Bakayoko as ‘Plan B’ to Tanguy Ndombele — report

It seems quite evident at this point that Tiémoué Bakayoko does not have a future at Chelsea despite AS Monaco deciding not to exercise their buy-option for the midfielder. AC Milan have been most actively linked with a move for their former loanee, but PSG also have an apparent interest if we go by past reports.

Bakayoko, who has two years left on his Chelsea contract, was not a priority for PSG at the time, but with the COVID-19 pandemic causing a widespread disarray in football finances, the Ligue 1 side might just decide to make a move in the coming weeks.

According to Le Parisien (via Sport Witness), PSG do indeed have Bakayoko on the shortlist to reinforce the midfield position, but he’s still not their first-choice. That honor apparently goes to Tanguy Ndombele of Tottenham Hotspur, who has suffered a bit of a falling out with ‘The Special One’ (color me surprised!).

The relationship has reached such a breaking point that Ndombele has reportedly told Mourinho that he no longer wants to work with him. PSG have a long-standing interest in Ndombele and thus would likely look to take advantage of the situation. However, it’s worth recollecting that Spurs paid a club-record €60m for Ndombele, and it’s hard to see Daniel Levy giving PSG a discount.

With PSG chasing other expensive targets like Sergej Milinković-Savić as well, this is could be where Bakayoko comes back in. Chelsea are seemingly willing to let Bakayoko go out on loan again, due to the lack of buying interest in the current market, and PSG Sporting Director Leonardo was the man who took Bakayoko to AC Milan in the first place. The player’s entourage are apparently in regular contact with him.

While PSG were focusing on more “accomplished” targets just a few weeks ago, the knock-on effect on the finances caused by the pandemic as well as the subsequent cancellation of the 2019/20 Ligue 1 season may mean that all Parisian paths would finally lead to Bakayoko.