Chelsea set to trump Manchester United in pursuit of Monaco maestro

Chelsea have leapfrogged Manchester United in the race to sign Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, reports the Daily Mirror. 

The 22-year-old netted the eventual winner for Monaco as they secured a place in the quarter-final stage of the Champions League at Manchester City’s expense. 

Bakayoko has impressed for Monaco this term, with his performances not going amiss in the Premier League, with United monitoring the Frenchman’s situation closely 

However, Chelsea are believed to have moved ahead of United to sign Bakayoko and have lodged a £32m bid for the player. 

The Blues are keen to pair Bakayoko with N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park and form one of the most daunting midfield partnerships in the Premier League. 

Bakayoko has rejected a contract extension from Monaco, with a summer exit likely, and Chelsea are able to match the French side’s asking price having recouped £52m from Oscar’s January sale. 

The Monaco star was recently called into the France national team to replace the injured Paul Pogba, who succumbed to a hamstring strain in United’s Europa League 1-0 win over Rostov.

For more stats on Tiemoue Bakayoko, click here to view his WhoScored player page