Valencia have reportedly made an enquiry over the availability of Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, with Gennaro Gattuso keen on a reunion.
According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko has emerged as a summer transfer target for La Liga giants Valencia, with Los Che lodging an enquiry for the Frenchman.
Bakayoko has been with Chelsea for five years now, with the club splashing £40 million to sign him from AS Monaco in 2017. However, the Frenchman has been out of favour at Stamford Bridge following a disappointing debut campaign in London under then-manager Antonio Conte.
Bakayoko has spent each of the next four seasons away on loan, having first joined AC Milan in 2018/19, before returning to AS Monaco for the next season. The midfielder went back to Italy in 2020, joining Napoli on a season-long deal. Back at Chelsea last summer, the 27-year-old was sent back on a two-year loan stint to AC Milan.
However, Bakayoko’s second stint with the Rossoneri has not gone according to plans, as he played just 14 times in their successful 2021/22 Serie A campaign, starting only five of those. So, there could be a chance that his loan agreement with the Italian champions could be terminated earlier, even though Milan have an obligation to purchase next year.
And Valencia have presented themselves as a possible destination for the 27-year-old midfielder. Los Che have already raided AC Milan for Samu Castillejo this summer and have now lodged an enquiry for Bakayoko as well. However, the deal could be complicated given the nature of the loan agreement between the Rossoneri and Chelsea.
Valencia have brought in Gennaro Gattuso as their new manager this summer. The Italian legend has previously worked with Bakayoko on two occasions during his first loan spell with AC Milan and then at Napoli. The French midfielder has made 85 appearances under Gattuso across his two spells, scoring and assisting three goals apiece.
And, it seems like Gattuso could be eyeing a reunion with Bakayoko at Mestalla now, having lodged an enquiry for Bakayoko. As iterated earlier, Milan have an obligation to buy the midfielder as part of the loan agreement with Chelsea. However, that does not kick in until 2023. So, it will be interesting to see if the three clubs can work out an arrangement to allow the midfielder to move to Valencia this summer.
