Arsenal are reportedly interested in a shock deal for Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, but would he be a good signing for the club?
According to claims from RMC Sport, as cited by GFFN on Twitter, Gunners boss Unai Emery is an admirer of the Frenchman’s talents, and could yet pursue a transfer.
Twitter: Additionally, PSG Sporting Director Leonardo has contacted Bakayoko’s entourage & Arsenal manager Unai Emery is int… https://t.co/xPW2S4lDq9 (@GFFN)
Bakayoko spent last season on loan at AC Milan, where he was able to rediscover his form after a dismal first campaign at Chelsea.
The former AS Monaco star returns to Stamford Bridge a far better player, but whether or not Arsenal should push to sign him is certainly something that can be debated.
Bakayoko has qualities that the Gunners do require. He breaks up play effective, marks space intelligently and is capable of screening the back four well. This was a quality that the team lacked at times last term, contributing to their defensive frailties.
However, he has displayed a propensity to lose focus all too easily, and this has, at times, cost his teams. Arsenal have enough players who lose concentration, and adding another to the ranks could be counter-productive.
Also, Chelsea are likely to value Bakayoko at a premium price if they do indeed wish to sell him. He is still just 24-years-old, and with the market continuing to throw up inflated transfer fees, they would be foolish to let him go cheaply.
Spending big on the midfielder is also believed not to be a possibility for Arsenal, who will work within the limitations of a reduced transfer budget this summer. Given that their London rivals spent in excess of £40 million on luring him away from Monaco in 2017, a move looks rather unlikely.
If the Gunners can tie up a cut-price deal for Bakayoko, it would certainly represent a shrewd bit of business. Logic would suggest, though, that Chelsea would be reluctant to strengthen one of their closest competitors for Champions League football.
