One negotation key as Chelsea wait for permanent sale of €20m flop

Chelsea have already agreed a deal in principle to sell Tiemoue Bakayoko to Napoli at the end of the season, reports claim.

Bakayoko’s career has not gone to plan since he joined Chelsea from Monaco in 2017 for £40m. The midfielder only made 43 appearances for the Blues before they loaned him out to AC Milan in 2018 and back to Monaco in 2019.

Bakayoko moved away from Stamford Bridge for a third time this summer, when Napoli took him back to Serie A on loan. His first six games for them have been more promising, bringing one assist.

In Naples, Bakayoko has found himself working under Gennaro Gattuso again. The coach previously brought a good spell out of him at Milan, and seems to be repeating the trick.


Subscribe to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…


Therefore, there is already talk of a permanent deal for Bakayoko to stay at Napoli, even though the loan deal does not contain a formal option to buy.

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport and La Repubblica, Chelsea will allow Bakayoko to move to Napoli permanently for €18m. Given that the loan cost the Serie A side €2m, that would make the final cost €20m.

 

Gattuso must confirm stay first

Napoli will be keen to explore that deal if Bakayoko continues his good form. However, first, they must extend Gattuso’s contract.

The coach’s deal expires at the end of the season. Napoli are planning a fresh offer for him to stay until 2023 after leading them to the Coppa Italia trophy last season.

Once that negotiation is complete, they will turn their attention to keeping Bakayoko.

With his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring in 2022, Chelsea know they must sell him sooner rather than later to recoup some of the price they paid for him three years ago.

READ MORE: Chelsea star on Crystal Palace radar as key man heads for free transfer exit