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Chelsea to spend £52m Oscar money on French sensation
CHELSEA have already lined up Tiemoue Bakayoko to replace China-bound Oscar, according to reports.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea - Premier League Match Preview
Express Sport understands Chelsea will sell Oscar to Shanghai SIPG for £52million in January.
Manager Antonio Conte has conceded the Brazilian does not have the passion for the Premier League.
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And The Times claim Conte has already earmarked a replacement midfielder.
According to the report, Conte wants to land Monaco ace Bakayoko after being convinced he has the physical attributes required to fit into the manager’s system.
Bakayoko, 22, boasts a handful of caps in the French youth set-up but has not yet earned a game for the full national team.
Chelsea want to sign Tiemoue Bakayoko
Monaco star Bakayoko (left) has played in their Champions League campaign this season
Bakayoko has a handful of caps for France U21s
The report claims he would cost around £40m, with Monaco bumping up the price for a sale midway through the season.
In August Bakayoko’s agent revealed Manchester United, Stoke and West Brom were tracking his progress - but Monaco blocked a move to the Premier League.
He is primarily a defensive midfielder and joined Monaco from Rennes in 2014.
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