AS Monaco Down Play Chelsea’s Interest On Tiemoue Bakayoko

AS Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko has down played his chances of joining Chelsea in January.

Following reports that the Blues are considering a move for the 22-year-old midfielder in the winter window, with claims that club technical director Michael Emenalo has scouted him on several occasions this season.

However, Bakayoko has revealed he has no plans to leave in the January transfer window, pouring cold water on reports linking him to a Premier League move next month

‘The idea of an exit crossed my mind at the start of the season,’ he told Eurosport.

‘I didn’t know what the club wanted to do with me. Maybe I wasn’t putting in the necessary effort.

‘What triggered everything was the confidence of the coach. That changes everything. I needed to feel important in the team and take matters into my own hands.

‘Friends told me [about the interest] but I don’t pay it any attention. I’ve had a good first six months but the season is not over.

‘I won’t leave Monaco this winter, that’s for sure. I don’t want to leave. Monaco are a beautiful club.

‘Certainly the Premier League makes you dream but I have no reason to leave this winter. Today, I have two goals: to finish as a champion in France and to go as far as possible in the Champions League.’

Concrete reports have it that Antonio Conte has sights on signing a defensive midfielder in the winter transfer window but most targets are not willing to move mid-way the season.