Tiemoue Bakayoko has sealed a return to Serie A, joining AC Milan from Chelsea on a two-year loan deal running through to the summer of 2023.
AC Milan have made an official statement to confirm that they have secured the services of Tiemoue Bakayoko. The French midfielder has left Chelsea temporarily once again to rejoin the Rossoneri, who have signed him on a two-year loan deal, with an option to buy him.
Tiemoue Bakayoko was one of the stalwarts of the shock Ligue 1 title triumph claimed by AS Monaco a few years ago. The performances for the principality club earned the Frenchman a move to Chelsea, only for the player to replicate his success in the French top-flight upon making the switch to Stamford Bridge.
After a disastrous maiden campaign with Chelsea, Bakayoko has been sent out on loan in each of the last three seasons, wherein he has played for AC Milan, AS Monaco and Napoli. And now, the 27-year-old is set to return to Serie A, in the form of rejoining the Rossoneri, who are signing him on loan once again.
The interest from AC Milan is understandable considering they chose not to sign Soualiho Meite, who has since joined Benfica instead. As a result, it makes sense that the Serie A giants would want to sign a central midfielder in Meite’s stead, with Bakayoko emerging as a viable target for them.
Tiémoué: “I’m back” ?️ @TimoeB08‘s joy on his Rossonero return
Bakayoko: “Ho sempre saputo che sarei tornato” ?️
Tutta la felicità di Tiémoué, di nuovo rossonero#NewPlayerUnlocked #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/cGQJFuiHmJ— AC Milan (@acmilan) August 30, 2021
Now, Milan have finally confirmed the return of Bakayoko, with the official statement confirming that the loan deal could turn into an obligation to sign the French midfielder if certain objectives are met. As per Fabrizio Romano, initially, the Rossoneri only have an option to buy Bakayoko, with Chelsea slated to receive €15 million if the clause is triggered.
Romano also added that Bakayoko will have penned a new contract with Chelsea, with his deal now running out in the summer of 2024. The 27-year-old has now become the third player to leave Chelsea for AC Milan following the permanent moves made by Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud.
Bakayoko will now hope to be impressive enough to prompt AC Milan to sign him permanently, especially in the wake of the uncertainties surrounding Franck Kessie, who has been linked with Tottenham, Liverpool and Real Madrid, among others. For now, he has left Chelsea for the fourth time, with another loan spell set to begin.
