Chelsea 'closing in on £35m midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko after breakthrough'

Now, according to reports in France, Chelsea have made a breakthrough in negotiations with a €40million (£35m) fee agreed.

Yesterday, Chelsea were confident of closing the deal, even if a whole host of intermediaries have continually made negotiations hard.

Chelsea are expected to complete the £35million capture of Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko in a matter of days, claim reports.

L'Equipe claim that the 23-year-old midfielder is excited at the prospect of working with Antonio Conte.

The French midfielder played a role in Monaco reaching the Champions League semi-final, in the season just gone, as well as Monaco winning their first French championship since 2000.

Antonio Conte will be a busy man this summer, as despite delivering the Premier League title in his first season at Stamford Bridge, he has to add depth and quality to his squad as they prepare to return to the Champions League.

His move will however cast doubt over the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic at Stamford Bridge, with Conte nearly certain to pair Bakayoko with last season's Player of the Year, N'Golo Kante.

Monaco, meanwhile, have quickly found a replacement for Bakayoko in Soualiho Meite.

Bakayoko's arrival could leave the futures of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas in doubt, with N'Golo Kante likely to be a cornerstone in Conte's midfield once more.