Tiémoué Bakayoko has been back on AC Milan’s radar, and those reports of the past few weeks have now been confirmed by his agent, who’s revealed that they’ve held a few exploratory talks with the Rossoneri over a potential (loan) move.
“We had a meeting a few weeks ago with Milan’s managers who are looking for a player in that position. This is a particular market, in which there is a need to sell before buying.
“Beyond Bakayoko, I believe that many hits will be realized later because first the clubs have to place some players before taking others. Milan want to do something in that role. Baka left a good memory and he has a good memory of Milan. The Rossoneri have to do something in that role, so we had some normal small talk that is done in these situations“.
As the agent hints at, this is not an easy market, especially for jettisoning deadwood in a squad — not a simple thing even in advantageous, non-pandemic markets — but it sounds like we might be able to swing (another) deal with Milan, who have already signed Fikayo Tomori and are getting closer to doing so with Olivier Giroud as well.
Bakayoko’s contract, which has just one year left on it, is further complicating the situation however.
“The problem is precisely this. There are two ways: either Bakayoko [will be] borrowed with obligation to redeem by 30 June 2022 or he must renew for another year with Chelsea. Otherwise the player must leave immediately and permanently”.
“Can this become an obstacle? Beyond the obstacles, Milan must do something in that area of the pitch. At the moment there are many evaluations, it will be a slow market.“
-Marco Busiello; source: Milan News via Milan Reports
There are some claims that Thomas Tuchel wants to take a look at Bakayoko as well when Chelsea begin preseason training next week. With Chelsea also looking set for a slow and perhaps entirely boring transfer window, perhaps reinforcements will emerge from among those already on the club’s books.