For months, Tiémoué Bakayoko was linked with a move to AC Milan, and then Paris Saint-Germain came forward as a potential suitor for the Chelsea midfielder.
However, the Blues owned player ended up joining Napoli on a season-long loan deal in the last week of the summer transfer window.
The move helped the 26-year-old reunite with Gennaro Gattuso as the pair previously worked together at AC Milan during the 2018/19 season.
Bakayoko spent the last campaign on loan at AS Monaco. On his return to Stamford Bridge, the Frenchman was made aware he wasn’t included in Frank Lampard’s plans and was made to train with Chelsea players who were expected to go out on loan.
Pasquale Sensibile is a member of the midfielder’s entourage and has shed light on the background of negotiations that took the player to Stadio San Paolo.
“How did the Bakayoko negotiation with Napoli start? This was an operation born and closed in a short time,” Sensibile told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, as relayed by Area Napoli.
“For several weeks Tiémoué was on the lips of other top-level clubs, he has always trained with the second Chelsea team. I often joked with Federico Pastorello about the great level of the Londoners’ reserves, they could compete for the Europa League.”
Sensibile is delighted that the Serie A side have the former Monaco man at Gattuso’s disposal.
“Now he finds Gattuso. A player of great international experience that the club has made available to the coach,” he explained.
“It is a sign of consistency that Napoli has given on the market, physically and tactically Bakayoko is not discussed and he inserts into a project that has always maintained a technical logic.
“I feel like complimenting the signing. Napoli have taken on a strong player, who played for Chelsea, Milan, Monaco.
“[Bakayoko] starting against Atalanta on Saturday? He didn’t miss anything, facing Atalanta would be very stimulating for the boy. Gattuso knows what he can give him.”
