Tiemoue Bakayoko has completed his loan move from Chelsea to AC Milan, with that deal including a €35 million purchase option.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT:
AC Milan are pleased to announce the signing of French midfielder Tiémoué Bakayoko from Chelsea FC. The 23 year-old joins the club on a loan deal with an option to make the move permanent.
Bakayoko will be unveiled to the media in a press conference on Friday August 17th , 3 PM CET at Casa Milan in Via Aldo Rossi 8.
The one-time capped France international had a tough year with the Blues, during which he failed to impose himself under Antonio Conte. With Conte sacked, his prospects of featuring under Maurizio Sarri were reduced even further amidst the arrivals of players such as Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.
As such, the Serie A side are keen to whisk the former Monaco man away from the Stamford Bridge side on a loan deal valued at €5 million (£4.5m/$5.7m). And they wish to keep him at the end of the season, they will pay another €35m to Chelsea, taking the value of the deal to €40m in total.
Bakayoko signed for Chelsea last summer for a fee of £40 million after Nemanja Matic was sold to Manchester United, but despite an impressive campaign for Monaco as they won the 2016-17 Ligue 1 title, he was unable to replicate that level in England.
He is not the only Chelsea midfielder who could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge before the majority of Europe closes its transfer window at the end of August. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Danny Drinkwater could also move away, though it would have to be abroad as the Premier League deadline was August 9.
Bakayoko, meanwhile, turned out 43 times in total for Chelsea, including 29 times in the Premier League. Over the course of his one campaign in England, he scored three goals and laid on three more.
BabaNla_14
166
I can't believe he can dropped form when he reached Stanford bridge, because of him, Chelsea gave us Matic, wish you Good of luck in Serie A
ThePro1526
112
Thanks God he is gone
Đaiveed ♥
101
It probably was the best choice he wasn't really improving, am glad he left he needs to improve himself more and re build himself some more.... Am. glad Chelsea loaned him hopefully he would return as S much more better player Good Luck 👊
Chima92
82
See how this one has turned to a cheap Cargo all in the name of joining a big club. thats y i say Young players shuld avoid Big clubs until they r fully experienced to handle the pressure.
Ezechukwudimodestus
70
all of you that comments here are very very stupid. why do I say so, because none of you can be or do like him he is good because he merit to be part of Chelsea before and let me ask u, if he is not good will Chelsea FC have him for the first time as a replacement of Matic. good luck my good brother Bakayoko.
adedayo01
57
why Chelsea included permanent contract? I still believed in this guy even before January. Chelsea signed kovacic from Madrid without including permanent signing, please who loose? that's why you can't compare Asenal wenger coach or Arsenal club, this club always have patients for their players. And the end of the day, Chelsea will looking for £100m to £150m to buy the bakayoko back after the permanent contract.
Manhattane
55
Do you guys think Baka will improve his playing? I saw potential in de bruyne when he was young, but I don't think baka and morata will improve. They have no strength in their legs.
Yuzdops
50
even after the ffp struggles ..Milan have had a great transfer window ..with so much of Italian core in this team and a lot of young potential ..this Milan side has all the virtues to be great again and I'll not be surprised if they reach the top 4 this season
Stuartkoob
43
Bakayoko is still relatively young; hopefully his loan at AC Milan is a success for him to come back and be a success at Chelsea! Hope he proves all you doubters wrong!!!!!
TUFACE
32
Thank God i can now watch Chelsea's match with peace