SOURCES: Chelsea & Liverpool Target Johan Bakayoko Expected To Leave PSV This Summer
Chelsea are interested in PSV winger Johan Bakayoko, and the Belgian winger is now expected to leave the club this summer in search of a new beginning. There has been talk of various clubs around Europe showing interest in the 20-year-old, and they are expected to try to sign him once the transfer window opens in June.
Manchester United have been linked with Bakayoko previously, but the current belief is that Michael Olise is the more likely target for INEOS this summer. Chelsea signed Noni Madueke from PSV in January of 2023, so the two clubs have been in contact before and the relationship is good.
Bakayoko Expected To Leave:
We understand Johan Bakayoko is expected to leave PSV this summer, and the fee quoted for his signing will be around £40–50 million. Bakayako has been in fine form this season for the Dutch side, with six goals and eight assists in 25 Eredivisie games this season already.
Dortmund are also expected to be in the race when the window opens, but Bakayoko is fully expected to make a move to a top European club. It’s not the first time Chelsea have been linked to the player, with previous links coming in January as well as last summer.
Another huge club that has been linked with the player is Liverpool, who will be looking to bring in some new players this summer to navigate the season ahead with Jurgen Klopp set to leave. Mohamed Salah continued to be linked to a move to Saudi Arabia, so Bakayoko could be one of the players Liverpool are looking at to possibly replace the Egyptian.
Brentford made an offer of €40 million last summer but were turned down by PSV at the time, with the club having no intentions of selling the player so soon and for that fee. The expectation, we understand, is that they’re more open to losing him this summer, and will accept a fee in the region of £40–50 million.
How Good Is He?
Bakayoko’s 1v1 ability is among the best in Europe, but his goals and assists will have to improve if he is to succeed at a top club like Liverpool or Manchester City. Eight goals in a season is a decent number, but when compared with the likes of Phil Foden and Mohamed Salah, it’s a number that has to improve. With that being said, however, the Belgian is still very young and can be nurtured in the coming years to add some more goals to his game.
Bakayoko is completing 3.3 dribbles per game, which is an impressive statistic for a winger so young. 13 assists is also the type of number you’d want from your right winger, and that may only improve when he begins to play in better sides.
Stylistically, Liverpool’s transitional style of football is perhaps the best for Bakayoko, but he is also good against a low block, which means he could slot into any of the interested clubs and perform. He is set to become the most expensive sale in PSV history after Hirving Lozano’s move to Napoli back in the 19/20 season. (€45m).
The summer is nearly certain to be an exit route for Johan Bakayoko, and the only question remaining now is whether he will be playing his football in the Premier League next season or whether a move to the Bundesliga is something he feels suits his development more. All eyes will be on the Belgian’s next move after EURO 2024, which is a tournament that could see his stock rise even higher if he performs.
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