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Chelsea midfielder’s loan exit set to trigger Jule Kounde transfer

Forgotten Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is set to join AC Milan from Chelsea, initially on loan, claims a report.

Bakayoko spent a successful loan spell with Milan in 2018-19 and he was apparently keen to return to the Serie A club.

Fabrizio Romano claims the deal will be a €500k loan, with a buy option for €20m.

The reporter also claims that Chelsea will also extend the player’s contract until June 2023.

The 27-year-old’s deal was set to expire in June 2020 and so a new contract will protect the value of the French player.

Thomas Tuchel had made it clear to Bakayoko that he had no future at Stamford Bridge.

Napoli have also been namechecked as an interested suitor after Bakayoko’s loan stint in Naples last season. Lyon were  also in the frame, but it a move to Milan was Bakayoko’s preference.

Another player leaving Stamford Bridge is Kurt Zouma.

Zouma underwent a medical ahead at West Ham on Thursday morning ahead of a £25m move.

Personal terms have been agreed and the final paperwork is expected to be completed in the next 24 hours.

Those two departures could aid Chelsea’s bid to land Jules Kounde.

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Kounde progress

Chelsea are in talks to sign Kounde from Sevilla, according to Sky Sports.

“Progress is being made,” according to the report as Chelsea look to nail down a £43m deal.

The outlet insist Kounde has been their No 1 defensive target this summer and they are confident they can get a deal done before Tuesday’s deadline.

A member of France’s Euro 2020 squad, Kounde’s club future has been the focus of much speculation ever since his involvement in that tournament ended.

Chelsea had been working on a deal for him in the background and accelerated their pursuit in the weeks that followed. However, there was little progress. In fact, the club were working through intermediaries and still had to contact Sevilla directly.

It appears they have now taken those necessary steps to close in on a deal. And according to another source, Gianluca Di Marzio, the transfer is almost complete.

READ MORE: Chelsea handed Juventus test

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