Chelsea transfer news: Tiemoue Bakayoko set for AC Milan loan deal

CHELSEA are close to agreeing a deal for Tiemoue Bakayoko to join AC Milan on a season-long loan.

New Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has informed the midfielder that he is not part of his Premier League plans for this season.

Bakayoko joined the Blues from Monaco last summer for £40m and started 25 Premier League games.

But the 23-year-old struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the English game.
And Bakayoko's is set to be farmed out on loan to AC Milan later today, according to the Mirror.
Chelsea begin their campaign with a trip to Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon.

Sarri has plentiful midfield options with new signing Jorginho, Ross Barkley, N'Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas in contention.

Real Madrid loanee Mateo Kovacic could also play a part but may be afforded more rest following Croatia’s World Cup campaign.

Danny Drinkwater could still also leave Stamford Bridge on loan with a number of clubs vying for midfielder.

"Some players have to go on loan,” Sarri said yesterday. “I don't know who at the moment.
"I prefer to have 23 or 24 players and three or four very young players. No more."

The Italian added that he is not taking the Terriers threat lightly, having done his homework on David Wagner’s outfit.

"They won their first three games in the last Premier League season,” he continued.

“So, at this moment, they can be a very dangerous opponent. I have to do it week by week [to learn about the other teams], I think.

“In pre-season I was really very busy with other things, so I have to study week by week.”