Photo: Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA

Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayako is Chelsea’s firstchoice midfield target, and Chelsea are reportedly close to signing the 22-year-old from the French champions.

Bakayako’s teammate Fabinho, has long been linked with a switch to Old Trafford. And with Jose Mourinho keen to bolster his midfield this summer, the 23-year-old appears to be edging towards United.

However, Manchester Evening News claim that the former Chelsea boss will prefer a move for Nemanja Matic, the player he signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2014.

Should Antonio Conte seal a move for Fabinho’s Monaco team-mate Tiemoue Bakayoko, it could help United sign Matic, Mourinho is claimed to believe.

Matic might fall down the pecking order if Chelsea sign Bakayako, as N’Golo Kante’s shirt seems to be assured, hence prompting Mourinho’s interest.