Newcastle reportedly want a Chelsea player that has impressed Graeme Souness

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Newcastle United have reportedly joined the race to sign Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko this summer with the Frenchman likely to leave Stamford Bridge – and Graeme Souness is clearly a fan.

Bakayoko, 25, has returned to Chelsea after French football was suspended until September by president Emmanuel Macron. The one-time France international was on loan at Monaco, having joined Chelsea from Monaco in 2017.

A £40million (Sky Sports) signing for Chelsea three years ago, Bakayoko clocked up 43 appearances in his first season but has since been loaned to Milan and Monaco. Now, Newcastle, West Ham and Watford are all keen.

That is according to Le10Sport who also suggest that Milan want Bakayoko back, as do Patrick Vieira’s Nice. Former Newcastle manager Souness praised Bakayoko for his athleticism among other traits during his first season.

‘Tiemoue Bakayoko came in and demonstrated that he is energetic, athletic and can get around people and stop them playing,” Souness was quoted as saying by the Metro, back in August 2017.

TBR’s view – Bakayoko would be a stunning Newcastle signing

Unlucky at Chelsea after a decent first season, Bakayoko was loaned to Monaco which the Frenchman may have feel aggrieved about – and rightly. A drop in confidence, perhaps because of the move, coincided with poor form.

But a return to his permanent class has been restored while at former side Monaco and towards the end of his Milan loan. Likely to be available for a cheaper price than the £40million spent on him by Chelsea, he is a decent option.