Chelsea step up interest in £50m-rated France international

Chelsea only won the Premier League title just over a week ago but Antonio Conte already has one eye on next season and is poised to step up his efforts to sign Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Bakayoko has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League since the start of the season after enjoying a breathtaking campaign for the Ligue 1 champions and Chelsea are determined to beat Manchester United to his signature this summer.

The France international is one of several Monaco players that won't be short of interest at the end of the season and Leonardo Jardim’s side will use it to drive up the price for their players, with Bakayoko’s departure expected to fetch in excess of £50m for the Principality club.

Conte would also like to sign Thomas Lemar from the French outfit but is focusing his efforts on capturing Bakayoko with Monaco unlikely to sell two of their best players in the same transfer window.

Only three players have won possession in the middle third more times in the Ligue 1 this season than Bakayoko (155).

For more stats on Tiemoue Bakayoko, click here to visit his WhoScored player page