Chelsea sign Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko , closes in on Aubameyang

Chelsea sign Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko , closes in on Borusia's Aubameyang

Chelsea sign Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko on a five-year contract for a reported fee of €40m.

Bakayoko made his debut for Ligue 1 side Rennes on 24 August 2013 in a Ligue 1 match against Évian TG, his impressive performance soon helped him join AS Monaco.

The 22-year-old midfilder played a key role in helping Monaco enjoy a remarkable 2016/17 campaign under Leonardo Jardim's tutelage.

The Paris-born midfield general scored three goals in all competitions as Monaco claimed the Ligue 1 title - their first top-flight championship in 17 years - and reached the Champions League semi-finals.

Bakayoko was called up to the senior France squad for the first time to face Luxembourg and Spain in March 2017 after Paul Pogba withdrew through injury. He made his debut on 28 March 2017 against the latter, replacing Adrien Rabiot at halftime.

Chelsea close in on Aubameyang

After weeks of struggling in the transfer market, and losing out on Romelu Lukakuto Manchester United, Chelsea's transfer plans have kicked into action. They signed Antonio Rudiger, and have now lined up Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The 28-year-old Gabon striker will replace Diego Costa, who is likely to be sold to Atletico Madrid, before he is sent out on a six-month loan to a Chinese club.

Paper Round's view: The Costa situation needs to be dealt with promptly, and given the negotiating stance of Real Madrid over Alvaro Morata, it makes sense that Chelsea have targeted a different striker with a club more accustomed to selling their best players. Aubameyang is a prolific scorer, and one who causes far less grief on and off the pitch than Costa. A calmer forward line could ultimately be a more effective one.