Tiemoue Bakayoko seals £40m Chelsea transfer from Monaco

By Lyall Thomas

Image: Chelsea have paid £40m for Tiemoue Bakayoko - their second-biggest signing

Tiemoue Bakayoko has joined Chelsea from Monaco and become the club's second-most expensive signing of all time.

Sky Sports News HQ understands the 22-year-old has cost the Blues £40m - some £10m less than Fernando Torres in 2011.

Bakayoko, an athletic central midfielder, has signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will join up with France international team-mate N'Golo Kante.

Image: Tiemoue Bakayoko made 46 appearances for Monaco last season

Bakayoko said: "I have grown up watching Chelsea. Signing was the natural thing for me because it is a club I loved very much in my childhood.

"I am now looking forward to evolving under this fantastic coach (Antonio Conte) and alongside so many great team-mates."

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Chelsea's technical director Michael Emenalo said: "Tiemoue was outstanding as Monaco emerged as one of Europe's best sides last season and we are delighted to welcome him to Chelsea.

Image: Antonio Conte has added a third signing after Willy Cabellero and Antonio Rudiger

"Despite his young age he already has plenty of experience as a French title winner and having competed in the latter stages of the Champions League, we believe he will add considerable quality to our squad."

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Bakayoko becomes Chelsea's third signing of the summer after the arrivals of back-up goalkeeper Willy Caballero and centre-back Antonio Rudiger from Roma.

The Blues are also in the hunt for a new striker, having decided to listen to offers for Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic, who were both left out of the pre-season tour of the Far East.

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