Chelsea are close to beating Manchester United to the signing of Monaco central midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster claim on their transfer centre blog (Monday, 8pm) that Bakayoko will have a Chelsea medical in the coming days and is in line to travel with Antonio Conte’s squad to China and Singapore next Monday.
Sky’s report comes after the Mail reported that United had attempted to hijack Chelsea’s deal by outbidding them with a sensational £40million-plus offer for the 22-year-old.
The Mail says Chelsea bid £37million for Frenchman Bakayoko and United’s ambush had placed them in control on Monday night.
But Sky state that defensive midfielder Bakayoko is heading to Stamford Bridge despite the second attempt from United in days to beat the Londoners to a mega-money signing.
The broadcaster report that his medical has been delayed until this week because he had minor knee surgery at the end of last season.
United boss Jose Mourinho has already snapped up a player from under the noses of his former employers after Romelu Lukaku completed a £90million transfer from Everton.
Bakayoko, 22, was a mainstay of the Monaco side that stormed to the French title last season for the first time in 17 years and also reached the Champions League semi-finals.
He featured in 51 matches in all competitions, including 32 times in Ligue 1 and 10 times in the Champions League.
Bakayoko, who was signed from Stade Rennais for £6million in 2014, has two years remaining on his Monaco contract.