Manchester United Make 'Direct Contact' With Chelsea Over Shock Move For Tiémoué Bakayoko

Manchester United have reportedly made 'direct contact' with Chelsea over a shock move for Tiémoué Bakayoko.

According to French radio station RMC, the Red Devils are ready to challenge Paris Saint-Germain over the signing of the Chelsea midfielder.

And United face stiff competition as PSG sporting director Leonardo Araújo has made an approach for the former Monaco star.

Araújo, 49, previously worked at AC Milan as sporting director and engineered Bakayoko's loan deal from the Blues last summer.

RMC claims that United have shown interest in him and have contacted Chelsea directly over a possible deal for Bakayoko.

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Milan had the option to make Bakayoko, 24, a permanent signing at the end of the season for €35m.

But the struggling Chelsea player has returned to his parent club and has been in training since last week.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who was appointed last week, is expected to meet with the Frenchman about his future following their pre-season tour in Ireland this week.

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United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær is still in the market for a midfielder after the departure of Ander Herrera to PSG.

While Bakayoko has struggled in the Premier League so far, the 46-year-old Norwegian looks ready to hand him a second shot should he move to Old Trafford.

United's pre-season tour kicks off in Australia with matches against Perth Glory on 13th July and Leeds United on 17th July.

But Solskjær is far from done with his summer shopping in the window and recently said that the club are still "working on a case or two."

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He told MUTV: "I've been in touch with Joel [Glazer] and Ed [Woodward] and recruitment over summer.

"There will probably be some more business done, but we are happy with what we have done so far. We want players who can get us off the edge of their seats.

"They are hungry and at the start of their careers. They are here now.

"We don't expect them to set the world alight in their first day. But they have an 'X Factor.'

"It is about them coming in, being themselves and show they want to take someone's place.

"That should spur others on."

Should United sign Bakayoko?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Chelsea, Football, Manchester United, Serie A, red devils, Premier League, AC Milan, Blues, Old Trafford

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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