Tiemoue Bakayoko to Chelsea: What we know so far

Tiemoue Bakayoko is expected to become Chelsea’s first major signing of the summer transfer window.

The French midfielder was one of the stars of AS Monaco’s Ligue 1 title-winning side last term, and the 22-year-old also shone in the Champions League.

Antonio Conte has been keen to bolster his options in midfield, and regards Bakayoko as a near-perfect partner for French compatriot N’Golo Kante.

Here's everything we know so far courtesy of Simon Johnson...

Is the deal close?

Chelsea have agreed a deal in principle for the midfielder, and we understand that the midfielder arrived in London on Tuesday to complete negotiations.

The Blues are expected to pay in the region of £35.1million to secure his signature, so all that remains is for the Premier League champions and the midfielder to complete their negotiations.

What is Chelsea’s budget?

Standard Sport reported in March that Conte had been handed significant funds for four key additions improve his title-winning squad.

Conte's demands have since risen to six new faces, with Bakayoko one of the Italian’s key targets.

A £35.1m deal would seem fairly insignificant to the club, who have been quoted £100m for top striking target Romelu Lukaku.

How much does Antonio Conte want him?

Chelsea tried to sign Bakayoko during the January transfer window, and the France international has been Conte’s top midfielder target for the past seven months.

How much will Bakayoko earn?

Chelsea have offered Bakayoko a five-year contract, but the 22-year-old is not happy with the wage proposal.

Bakayoko joined Monaco from Rennes in 2014 and is still on the same low salary he was given on arrival, which is believed to be worth less than £20,000-a-week.

He wants a significant increase on that at Chelsea and talks are ongoing, although a resolution is expected.

Is he good enough?

Former Chelsea midfielder and coach Ray Wilkins has publically questioned the move, with the opinion that Nathaniel Chalobah is a better alternative.

Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim has heralded Bakayoko’s ability to win the ball and move possession up-field . Elsewhere, France boss Didier Deschamps has described him as a ‘fairly complete midfielder’.

The statistics back it up also.

Opta report the only Gabi and Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater broke up more attacks in the Champions League last season. Bakayoko completed more passes than any other Monaco player last term, also.

What does it mean for Nemanja Matic?

The writing would appear to be on the wall for the Serbian. Matic came close to leaving Stamford Bridge last summer before Conte intervened, with Liverpool and Juventus both interested last summer.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is seeking a reunion with Matic at Manchester United for £40m, but the Blues will not sell the Serbian until Bakayoko's arrival is confirmed.