Chelsea midfielder offered to Serie A giants
Serie A giants AS Roma have been offered the chance to sign Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue
Bakayoko, who is currently on loan at AC Milan.
According to Il Tempo (Giallorossi.net), Jose Mourinho’s Roma have been offered
the chance to sign Chelsea ace Tiemoue Bakayoko, who is currently on loan at AC Milan. But
the Frenchman isn’t on top of Roma’s list with the Serie A side considering other options
as well.
The Giallorossi have already signed midfielder Nemanja Matic on a free transfer from Manchester
United, who is set to be a starter under Mourinho, given that the Portuguese is a long-term admirer
of the Serbian. However, they want to add another player in that position and are currently
in the transfer market for the same.
As per the aforementioned report, Paris Saint-Germain outcast Georginio Wijnaldum is on their list
and the club are exploring the possibility of getting him on board. The Dutchman would
perfectly fulfil Roma’s needs but they might struggle to match the salary he currently
earns with the French giants.
Wijnaldum currently earns €9 million per year at PSG and the Serie A side are hoping
that the Ligue 1 champions could pay half of Wijnaldum’s salary. The former Liverpool
midfielder moved to Paris just last season but failed to cement a starting spot, and
could be headed towards a summer exit.
PSG are willing to find a new destination for the Dutchman as well and could strike
a deal with Roma. Wijnaldum, too, is reportedly keen to move to Rome and the club are still
in the works to strike a deal. The Dutchman wasn’t the player on top of their wishlist,
with Sassuolo’s Davide Frattesi their priority target.
But Sassuolo’s asking price put Roma off, who are now focussing on other options. With
possible financial difficulties in their move for Wijnaldum, they are now also exploring
the possibility of signing Bakayoko.
On loan from Chelsea, the France international still has a year left on his temporary association
with AC Milan. The Rossoneri would want to part ways with the 27-year-old too, as per
the aforementioned report. The likes of Marseille and Sevilla have been linked with Bakayoko
as well.
Bakayoko is a player well-versed with the Italian top-flight. He is in his second loan
stint with Milan, while he has also spent a year on a temporary spell with Napoli. His
experience in Serie A could count in his favour as Roma look to bolster their midfield.
Milan, for their part, are likely to be open to terminating his loan agreement to reduce
their own wage bill. A deal would be complicated as Roma, Milan and Chelsea will all have to
negotiate and arrive at a common ground. But a transfer could be possible nevertheless.