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Tiemoue Bakayoko to Chelsea: Monaco star snubs Man Utd to work with Antonio Conte - report
TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO has reportedly snubbed Manchester United in favour of Chelsea because he wants to work with Antonio Conte.
Tiemoue Bakayoko is reportedly on the brink of a move to Chelsea
Tiemoue Bakayoko was one of Monaco’s stand-out players last season who helped the club win the Ligue 1 title.
His fine performances have seen him linked with a host of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea.
And French newspaper L’Equipe claim the 22-year-old has now made up his mind about which club he will join - opting for the Blues.
The report says the defensive midfielder favours a move to Stamford Bridge in order to work alongside Antonio Conte.
Tiemoue Bakayoko has reportedly turned down a move to Manchester United
He will reportedly complete his move to Chelsea next week and is set to sign a five-year deal with the club.
The fee is expected to be in the region of £35million and will see Bakayoko link up with his French team-mate N’Golo Kante in the heart of midfield.
Kante also snubbed a move to Old Trafford in favour of the Blues last summer, despite Jose Mourinho’s best efforts to sign the former Leicester man.
Bakayoko’s move has been backed up by French football expert Julien Laurens who claims he the midfielder was Chelsea’s No 1 transfer target.
"There's only a few details left between Monaco and Chelsea for the transfer of Bakayoko,” Laurens told ESPN.
"It was always on the cards really from very early on, he was their priority in midfield.
“Conte was always wanting to put Kante and Bakayoko together and I think for him, he had other clubs interested like Manchester United for example, but Chelsea was always the project that he was really keen on.
"Working with Conte, who obviously used to be a defensive midfielder, was very appealing for Bakayoko and he sees in Chelsea the great step higher for his future for his career.”