Manchester United fans have been excited about the prospect of seeing Tiemoué Bakayoko at Old Trafford for some time now.
The Monaco midfielder is understood to be held in high regard by United manager Jose Mourinho, who sees Bakayoko as a potential long-term replacement for Michael Carrick in the centre of the park.
The 22-year-old also has a huge fan in the form of legendary Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand, who dropped Bakayoko's name when asked who he wants to see move to his former club in the summer.
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The Frenchman endeared himself to United supporters by scoring against their noisy neighbours Manchester City in the Champions League a fortnight ago, a goal which prompted United forward Anthony Martial to praise his fellow countryman.
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Chelsea reportedly have a deal in place with the holding midfielder, worth in the region of £35 million, but it's understood that Bakayoko could yet be swayed to move to Old Trafford... on one condition.
"Tiemoue is listening to some clubs from England, including Manchester United, but there is nothing concrete right now," a source close to the player told
Manchester Evening News.
"Manchester United is a big club and [Jose] Mourinho is a big coach, and Tiemoue needs a big coach to continue his progression.
"He wants to play in the Champions League and it will be a worry for a club that does not play in it. It will inevitably be taken into account."
So for Bakayoko to even consider United, they will have to qualify for next season's Champions League, something that the Red Devils can accomplish in one of two ways - either they finish in the top four of the Premier League or they win the Europa League.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is in no doubt about which path would be easier.
"The season is still alive," Ferguson said in an interview on
Sirius XM. "They’ve won the League Cup and are in the Europa League and I think they’ve got a great chance there. It’s very important now because if you win it, you’re into the Champions League and at the moment the Premier League is a real fight for the positions behind Chelsea with Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, ourselves. It’s not going to be easy to get into the top four.
"They could do it but I look at the Europa League as a great chance. First of all, the club has never won the Europa League. It adds to the CV so I think we’ve got a good opportunity."
