Tiemoue Bakayoko's transfer to AC Milan to be decided in next hours: Source

Chelsea are close to offloading one of the players who is unlikely to ever be in the club's long-term plans.

The next few hours could prove decisive for the negotiations between Chelsea and AC Milan over Tiemoue Bakayoko, as per highly credible insider Gianluca Di Marzio.

The talks have not stopped even though Milan are closing in on Sandro Tonali, a very promising central midfielder from Brescia.

It's understood that Chelsea are open to loaning the Frenchman out, with AC Milan set to have an option to buy.

Italian club's sporting director Paolo Maldini has confirmed that Bakayoko is one of their main targets which makes us believe that the deal will be announced soon.

Bakayoko joined Chelsea in 2017 and made 43 appearances in his first season with the club; the Frenchman has not featured for the Blues ever since.