Tiemoue Bakayoko to Manchester United: Fee Reportedly Agreed Amid Chelsea Talk

Manchester United are reportedly set to beat Chelsea to the signing of another key summer target, with a fee said to have been agreed with AS Monaco for midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail reported United are "prepared to pay more than £40 million" for Bakayoko. Earlier in the day, James Dickenson of the Daily Express reported similar news, suggesting the France international is on his way to Old Trafford.

The reports note United have already swooped to pip Chelsea to the capture of Everton striker Romelu Lukaku this summer.

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There have been suggestions the Bakayoko stories are wide of the mark, though. According to L'Equipe (h/t Sport Witness), the player is "bound for Chelsea." It's added Bakayoko will not return to Monaco for pre-season as scheduled.

News of interest from United will be troubling to Chelsea supporters after the Red Devils hijacked the club's move for Lukaku. However, given the reports emerging from France, Blues fans will remain quietly confident Bakayoko is on his way to Stamford Bridge.

Whichever club gets the former Stade Rennais man through the door will be landing a brilliant footballer. These numbers from Squawka Football underline how impressive he was in 2016-17:

Bakayoko may not be the most glamorous player on the ball or a midfielder who will amble forward and score goals. But what he can do is dominate the middle third of the pitch.

The Monaco man is a facilitator. Bakayoko's outstanding defensive instincts and reserves of energy saw him offer a brilliant shield to the back four last term, while his combative style gave the team's array of attacking talent freedom in dangerous areas.

Bakayoko was a linchpin for manager Leonardo Jardim, although football journalist Philippe Auclair has doubts as to whether he would be a good acquisition for the Blues:

There are green areas to Bakayoko's game, most notably his choice of pass and rashness in the tackle. Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho are both coaches who would be confident of channelling his positive attributes effectively, though.

At Chelsea, playing alongside the irrepressible N'Golo Kante would aid any transitional period, while Paul Pogba would surely benefit from Bakayoko's all-action presence at Old Trafford. Fans of both clubs will be waiting patiently to see where he ends up.