French midfielder set for Chelsea return

French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is set to return to Chelsea this summer after AS Monaco decided against triggering the buy clause available on his loan contract.

Bakayoko rejoined the Principality outfit on a season-long loan last summer after he was deemed surplus to requirements under Blues boss Frank Lampard.

He has since made 23 appearances for Monaco but he is due to return to Stamford Bridge in the coming months after the French top-flight campaign was prematurely cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Goal.com, the former French champions can sign Bakayoko permanently for £38m but they have opted against the option amid the financial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The 25-year-old will have another two years remaining on his Blues deal when he makes his comeback. The club will be hoping to find a suitable buyer.

Paris Saint-Germain have recently been credited with an interest in the midfielder but they are reluctant to pay more than £22m for the former Rennes graduate