According to reports in L’Equipe last week, Chelsea are interested in signing Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso if they fail to complete a deal for Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko.
Blues manager Antonio Conte is desperate to bring in some competition for the likes of N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas in the middle of the park this summer, and his number one target was said to be Bakayoko.
However, with the Ligue 1 champions already selling Bernardo Silva to Manchester City and with the likes of Benjamin Mendy and Kylian Mbappe heavily linked with moves away as well, they could decide to hold on to Bakayoko unless they receive an offer they can’t refuse.
If that turns out to be the case Conte could turn his attentions to Tolisso, who has been an impressive performer for Lyon this season after helping them to a fourth-placed finish, and the Frenchman could be tempted by the lure of guaranteed Champions League football.
Here are three reasons Chelsea should sign Tolisso this summer…
His performances
The 22-year-old will be on the radar of a number of top clubs across Europe following a standout season for the Ligue 1 outfit.
The midfielder scored 14 goals and provided a further seven assists in 47 appearances in all competitions for the French club, but while he is impressive from an attacking point of view, he also adds value with the defensive side of his game too.
The Frenchman made 40 clearances and 36 interceptions in 30 league appearances this term.
He will have a point to prove
According to ESPN FC last month, Tolisso wants to play Champions League football next season and he won’t be able to do that if he stays with Lyon, whose fourth-place finish only guaranteed them a spot in the Europa League next term.
The reason he wants to play in Europe’s elite competition is to boost his chances of featuring for France at the 2018 World Cup, and that would mean that he has a real point to prove if he was to move to Chelsea, which would only benefit the Blues.
Price tag
According to reports in The Telegraph last month Bakayoko could cost Chelsea around £43m this summer if they were to bring him to Stamford Bridge, but it is likely that Tolisso could be purchased for a fee lower than that with Lyon not in the limelight like Monaco currently are.
With the French club failing to qualify for the Champions League and the player seemingly wanting out as a result, the Blues will be confident that they could sign the 22-year-old for a reasonable price.
Do you agree, Chelsea fans? Let us know below.