If there were any doubts as to what the future held for Chelsea’s Tiemoué Bakayoko prior to Friday, the article in today’s Gazzetta dello Sport has since shattered those.
The newspaper takes a look at what happens this summer depending on whether or not Napoli qualify for the Champions League, although the Frenchman’s fate is sealed regardless.
In the section analysing the moves the Serie A side could make should they only make it into the Europa League, Gazzetta make it clear that ‘it’s already decided that Bakayoko will not be purchased from Chelsea’.
That was the trend going into the second half of the season, even with earlier claims of an €18m gentleman’s agreement being in place in case Aurelio De Laurentiis wanted to keep him around, and it now seems to have been confirmed.
Starting strongly following his last minute move from Chelsea in the summer transfer window, the defensive midfielder has seen his performances dip towards the backend of the campaign, leading to criticism being thrown in his direction by various pundits.
Either way, Bakayoko is on his way back to Stamford Bridge.