Chelsea battle Liverpool for €60m 'summer top target'

Tom Weber

Updated: 18 Mar 2024 21:27 GMT
4 min read

Mauricio Pochettino, Jurgen Klopp — © IMAGO

Chelsea and Liverpool are among the clubs who have made Johan Bakayoko a 'summer top target,' according to a report.

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The Belgian winger has been on a tear in the Eredivisie this term. Bakayoko has massively contributed to PSV storming into a massive 10-point lead atop the table, having notched six goals and eight assists in 25 league games.

All told, Bakayoko has so far tallied eight goals and 13 assists in all competitions, though he does find himself in a bit of a slump right now. After becoming a veritable creative machine in the early parts of the season, the 20-year-old's production has dried up in recent months.

Bakayoko has not recorded an assist in 16 outings and he has only scored four times across those fixtures. As a result, transfer rumours surrounding the scintillating winger have gone somewhat quiet again in recent weeks, but a fresh report from Sky Germany's Patrick Berger is set to reignite the speculation.

Chelsea battle Liverpool

According to the journalist, a host of clubs view Bakayoko as a 'summer top target.' The likes of Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, PSG and Borussia Dortmund have all shortlisted the Belgian ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

PSV, it is claimed, will demand a fee in the region of €50 million to €60m, which surely takes Dortmund out of the equation. Liverpool are long-time admirers of the winger, while Chelsea may see him as a replacement for ex-PSV star Noni Madueke.

The 22-year-old scored a brilliant goal in the FA Cup against Leicester at the weekend, but he is said to be fed up with his lack of minutes at Stamford Bridge and is open to a summer departure. Bakayoko would be a like-for-like replacement for the Englishman.

Brentford attempted a swoop for the 20-year-old in January but had their €40m bid knocked back by PSV. It will be a different story in the summer, however. Earnie Stewart, the sporting director of the Dutch giants, admitted last month that Bakayoko is likely to be sold in the summer.