Chelsea working on terminating Tiemoue Bakayoko's contract

Tiemoue Bakayoko arrived at Stamford Bridge with high expectations from Monaco in 2017, but after enduring a nightmarish spell in the English capital, he has been sent out on loan to Napoli, Monaco and currently AC Milan, having also represented the Italian champions between 2018 and 2019.

However, this season, the 28-year-old has been stuck as an unused substitute on the San Siro bench as Milan try to avoid triggering an automatic £13million purchase clause based on appearances.

Bakayoko hasn’t played for Milan since May as the Rossoneri aim to keep him from reaching the mark of 15 appearances across the two-year loan stint that would trigger the clause. The Evening Standard now reports that Chelsea believe a contract termination would be best for all parties.

Neither Milan nor Chelsea have an interest in his long-term future and his transfer value is rapidly spiralling downwards. If he is not released, then he will return for a final season at Stamford Bridge in 2023/24 on wages of £120,000-a-week.

Talks are ongoing to break the loan agreement but his current Chelsea contract entitles him to around £9m a year, which would secure him a hefty compensation package for leaving the Blues early. 

Bakayoko's only appearances for Chelsea so far came in the 2017-18 campaign after arriving for £40m from Monaco. He contributed three goals and three assists in 43 matches under Antonio Conte, but he never fully settled in London and his performances got progressively worse.

Leaving Chelsea could help the French midfielder revive his career. Serie A minnows Monza have tried to hijack his loan at Milan, but his wage demands have scared off suitors in recent years.