Valencia boss Gennaro Gattuso has opened contacts with Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, according to reports in Italy.
The pair have a strong relationship, having worked together at AC Milan and Napoli previously.
As reported by tuttomercatoweb, Gattuso has already ‘reactivated’ contacts with Bakayoko as he will look to sign him for Valencia.
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The Italian head coach has been confirmed as the new boss at Valencia, taking over from Jose Bordalas ahead of the 2022/23 season.
The report states that Gattuso is looking to bring in several former players as he will ‘speak Italian’ when assembling his new squad in Spain.
Bakayoko is believed to be one of the first names on the list as he prepares to return to Chelsea early from an unsuccessful loan spell at the San Siro, where he previously starred.
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The 27-year-old was set for a two-year spell under Stefano Piolo but a lack of game time will see him return to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
His second spell at AC Milan has been far more disappointing than his first stint in Italy, under Gattuso, where he played 32 times - over double the 14 appearances that he racked up this season.
The 2020/21 season saw him reunited with Gattuso in Naples, featuring a further 31 times in the league before returning to Milan the following season.
A move for Bakayoko to Valencia is set to be another loan, if the report is to be believed, as Valencia seek cut-price deals this summer.
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Furthermore, Matias Vecino has been identified as a potential free transfer and could be brought in. Whether the move would be to play alongside Bakayoko or as an alternative transfer target is unclear.
Chelsea could look to extend Bakayoko’s deal at Stamford Bridge once again before seeing him head out on loan, having done so before sending him to Milan last summer.
His current deal expires in 2024, giving them enough time to still demand a fee next summer when they finally cut ties with the midfielder.
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Fellow Blues midfielders N’Golo Kante and Jorgino see their contract expire a year prior to Bakayoko, with Chelsea believed to want to sort their futures out this summer.
It remains to be seen as to whether Thomas Tuchel will look to bring in midfield reinforcements in the transfer window, with PSV’s Ibrahim Sangare the most recent to be linked with a switch to Londonu as Chelsea look to rebuild their squad and challenge with Manchester City and Liverpool.
Topics: Chelsea, Gennaro Gattuso, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Valencia, Football
Nick Emms