Compulsory purchase agreed for 2022/23
In the 2018/19 season, midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko probably experienced his last real sporting high phase in the service of AC Milan, including an increase in market value to 35 million euros. At that time, the Rossoneri could not afford the purchase option negotiated with Chelsea. Last summer, the 27-year-old returned to Milan, again on loan, until the summer of 2023. AC’s economic environment has since improved and Bakayoko’s price has fallen by around 50 per cent. Nevertheless, everything currently indicates that the “six” will return to Stamford Bridge in the summer for the time being.
Actually, Bakayoko should spend another season at Milan. Under coach Stefano Pioli, he was planned as a backup right from the start and was used regularly in the first half of the season, also because competitors were out. This stopped abruptly with the 1:2 against Spezia in mid-January. Since then, Bakayoko has not been on the field for a second. In the past few days, Italian media have therefore speculated about a premature termination of the loan. According to Milan reporter Antonio Vitiello The former international’s advisors were in Milan on Wednesday to discuss the situation.
So far, Milan have paid 2 million euros on loan and have to transfer another million to Chelsea as a result of qualifying for the Champions League. For the coming season, a purchase obligation of 17 million euros would then be considered if Bakayoko were to be on the pitch for at least 45 minutes in 15 competitive games. The agreement does not yet affect this season. Nevertheless, it does not seem as if Milan is interested in the situation occurring at all – although the “Gazzetta dello Sport” recently speculated that Pioli, sports director Paolo Maldini and Co. could only make a final decision at the end of the season.
Chelsea’s “Loan Army”: 6 players with a market value of 10 million or more
For Chelsea, however, Bakayoko, whose contract runs until 2024, would be one of the few options available to change the squad for the coming season. As long as Roman Abramovich, who is subject to sanctions by the British government, does not sell the Blues, transfers, neither on the entry nor on the exit side, are not possible. The right-footer is one of 13 professionals, including their own Under-23s, on loan from Chelsea who can be registered on a return. With a market value of EUR 13 million, Bakayoko ranks in the upper midfield.
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