Lyon have made initial discussions with Chelsea regarding the potential transfer of Tiemoue Bakayoko. According to reputed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the French side are keen to add the 26-year-old to bolster their midfield.
Lyon in Talks With Tiemoue Bakayoko
Improving the Midfield
Newly appointed Lyon manager Peter Bosz has identified Tiemoue Bakayoko to improve their midfield for the new season. Les Gones are weakened in midfield and have been in the market for additional faces.
A possible move to Lyon would see Bakayoko returning to France after four years following his move from AS Monaco. The midfielder had spent his first five seasons as a professional in France. He started graduated from Rennes youth academy and made his professional debut for the reserve squad in 2012. The midfielder made his Ligue 1 debut a year later and moved to Monaco at the end of the 2013/14 season.
At Monaco, Bakayoko earned a name for himself as one of the best young midfielders in the country. The Frenchman was part of a young Les Monegasques team that surprised Ligue 1 with the midfielder playing a key role during Monaco’s 2016/17 Ligue 1 title-winning campaign. Bakayoko was part of an exciting Monaco team that surprised everyone and pipped Paris Saint-Germain to the title.
The midfielder was one of several players that left Stade Louis II at the end of the 2016/17 campaign. The Frenchman had spent three seasons with Monaco and made 92 appearances and scored five goals during this period. His impressive performances saw Chelsea signing the French midfielder. Bakayoko returned to Monaco during the 2019/20 campaign on loan from Chelsea but he failed to impress, despite making 23 appearances and scoring once for the club.
Napoli and AC Milan are Also Interested in Signing Bakayoko
Lyon are not the only team targeting Bakayoko with AC Milan and Napoli reportedly interested in a move for the Chelsea midfielder. The Frenchman had spent a season on loan at either of the clubs during the past two seasons. Bakayoko had formed an impressive midfield partnership with Frank Kessie during his 2018/19 loan spell with AC Milan. But the Rossoneri failed to reach an agreement with Chelsea for signing the midfielder.
Last season saw Bakayoko playing on loan with Napoli. The Frenchman was a regular in the first-team and played 44 times for Gli Azzuri.
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