Bakayoko rejected Manchester United in favour of Chelsea move

Tiemoue Bakayoko rejected the chance to join Manchester United this summer in favour of moving to Stamford Bridge.

Speaking on ESPN, as reported by the Express, Julien Laurens says the midfielder had options from both Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

“There’s only a few details left between Monaco and Chelsea for the transfer of Bakayoko. It was always on the cards really from very early on, he was their priority in midfield.”

“Conte was always wanting to put (N’Golo) 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.”

 The AS Monaco midfielder is expected to complete a £35 million move to Stamford Bridge next week after being linked with a move to the Premier League champions for some time.
Laurens admits that Conte has been a huge influence on Bakayoko in the deal, and working alongside the Italian may well have been the tipping point for the in-demand midfielder.

“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. I think it can work out very well for both parties.”

Bakayoko played an influential role in the Monaco midfielder that won the Ligue 1 title last season and impressed so many in the Champions League.

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The French champions have already lost Bernardo Silva to Manchester City and risk losing Fabinho and Kylian Mbappe as well this summer.