Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 7y

Monaco's Tiemoue Bakayoko rules out PSG amid Chelsea links

Reported Chelsea target Tiemoue Bakayoko has ruled out leaving Monaco for Paris Saint-Germain, telling Canal Football Club he cannot "leave for a club that has finished behind me."

France midfielder Bakayoko, 22, has been linked with a summer move to Premier League champions Chelsea after impressing in Monaco's Ligue 1 title win and their run to the Champions League semifinals this season.

PSG have also been named as suitors of the former Rennes man, but though he was a boyhood fan of his hometown club, Bakayoko said the transfer will not happen.

"I can't leave Monaco to go to PSG," Bakayoko said. "It's impossible, because I've just finished champion ahead of Paris. I can't leave for a club that has finished behind me.

"PSG is a club I carry in my heart because I'm a Parisian and I was a supporter of PSG, like my family. They initiated me."

Bakayoko's TV appearance led some to assume he was announcing a transfer to Stamford Bridge as he posted on Instagram a picture of himself with the hashtag #CFC, but he appears to have been referring to Canal Football Club.

#CFC

A post shared by Timoue Bakayoko 14 (@bakayoko_official14) on

Sources told ESPN FC in March that Manchester United have also shown interest in Bakayoko and scouted him during Monaco's Champions League victory over Manchester City, but Chelsea are now reported to be leading the race for his services.

The Daily Telegraph reported last week that Chelsea were preparing to open negotiations, with a deal tipped to cost over €50 million (£43m).

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