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With a contract running out in 2019, this summer was always going to be an important one for Monaco’s Tiemoué Bakayoko after his sudden rise this season.

The young midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, with both Manchester United and Chelsea favourites to acquire his services.

With the Monaco doing so well in the Champions League, Bakayoko’s stock has increased even more, if that was even possible, since January, and it appears that Monaco are now resigned to having to sell him in the summer.

That is, at least, what Le10 Sport are reporting as an exclusive on Thursday, with the Ligue 1 side having failed to convince their star to sign a new contract, even if they get the end date of his contract wrong, claiming it runs out in 2018.

Considering he signed a five-year deal in 2014 when joining from Rennes, simple maths lead to it ending a year later than what the French website claim.

With this in mind, there was never a rush for Monaco to sell him, but his reluctance to prolong his time in the principality suggests he is thinking of bigger and better things for next season.

With both José Mourinho and Antonio Conte looking to bolster their midfield in the summer, the interest in Bakayoko isn’t exactly a surprise, and with just two years left on his deal, there’s only so much Monaco will be able to ask for.

The France international will also be cheaper than his midfield partner Fabinho, who renewed his contract with Monaco until 2021 back in September.

We’ve always said the 22-year-old was one of the likeliest to leave the club in the summer, and if these claims are true, they only strengthen that view.

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