Tiemoue Bakayoko wants Chelsea return

Bengaluru, May 2: On-loan Chelsea midfield dynamo Tiemone Bakayoko is reportedly set for a transfer U-turn and wants to come back to Chelsea after suffering racist abuse in Italy.

The midfielder, 24, is spending this season on loan at AC Milan but was targeted during last week's Coppa Italia semi-final.

After a tough start to his spell, the former Monaco man has developed into a key member of Gennaro Gattuso's side, making 39 appearances.

And the San Siro club were understood to be keen on making his move permanent beyond the end of the season.

It was thought a £30million bid, £10m less than Chelsea paid Monaco for him in 2017, would have been enough to secure Bakayoko.

And while the midfielder said in February it would be a "dream" to confirm the switch in the summer, reports in Italy say he has since decided against a move following the shocking events in Milan.

He was blasted by Lazio supporters before, during and after their game.

Chants of "this banana is for Bakayoko" were reportedly heard both in the city and in the stadium.

Lazio supporters were angry with Bakayoko and his AC Milan team-mate Franck Kessie after they paraded Francesco Acerbi's shirt like a trophy earlier this month.

The pair were jeered and whistled throughout the semi-final, which Lazio won 1-0 on aggregate.

According to Football Italia, Lazio supporters smuggled a number of inflatable bananas into the San Siro. They were handed a partial-stadium closure by the Italian authorities.

But Bakayoko's change of heart may be good news for Chelsea, though, especially with uncertainty over their transfer ban.

As things stand, the Blues will not be able to sign new players this summer meaning Mateo Kovacic is set to be heading back to Real Madrid.

So being able to bring back an in-form Bakayoko into the midfield could be a major boost for Maurizio Sarri as the Frenchman looks revived now.