Chelsea agree fee of £35.2million for Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko
- Chelsea have agreed a fee of £35.2m to sign Monaco's Tiemoue Bakayoko
- Blues boss Antonio Conte has long been an admirer of the midfielder
- Bakayoko enjoyed a fine season in the Monaco side that won Ligue 1
- He also made his first senior appearance for France against Spain in March
Chelsea have agreed a fee of £35.2million with Monaco for Tiemoue Bakayoko.
Blues boss Antonio Conte has made it clear he wants Bakayoko, 22, who made his debut for France last month.
The midfielder enjoyed a fine season in the Monaco side that won Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semi-finals.
Tiemoue Bakayoko was a key player in Monaco's midfield as they won Ligue 1 last season
The midfielder has attracted a lot of significant interest this summer but it is understood that Chelsea have won the race to sign him.
He joined Monaco from Rennes in 2014 and has improved year-on-year as a defensive midfielder.
Bakayoko also made his first senior appearance for France this year when he came on against Spain in March.
Bakayoko enjoyed an outstanding season at Monaco last season, particularly in Europe
Reports in France have previously suggested the 22-year-old would relish the prospect of possibly working with Conte.
Former Blues assistant coach Ray Wilkins has said how he was 'disappointed' to see that Conte was after Bakayoko.
He told talkSPORT: 'I was really disappointed to read they are looking at Bakayoko from Monaco.
Former Blues assistant Ray Wilkins is 'disappointed' that Chelsea are pursuing the player
'He is 23 years of age, French and doesn't get near the national side.
'But it was quoted Chelsea might be paying £32m.
'Well, in Nathaniel they have got a footballer that can play exactly the same but just needs an opportunity to get in there and play.
'You have seen already in the two games he has played up to now [at the European Championship] he looks a class act in and amongst people of his own age.
'Playing with the top quality players that they have at Chelsea, he can only improve week to week.'
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