Rumour: Manchester United and Chelsea set to battle for highly-rated Ligue 1 duo

Tiemoue Bakayoko

With Manchester United currently short of players in central midfield, David Moyes is looking to France to solve his midfield problems, with United lining up a bid for Rennes midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko. Chelsea are also reported to be interested in the talented teenager, who only turned 19, a few months ago and plays predominantly as a defensive midfielder.

Scouts of both Chelsea and Manchester United were present in Rennes’s 3-1 win over Saint-Etienne on Wednesday to watch the Frenchman in action. The highly-rated teenager is a product of the Rennes youth academy and broke into the first team earlier this year and has made 12 appearances since and has even scored his first senior goal for the club.

Having already appeared for France’s under-16, under-17 and under-18 teams, Bakayoko will be keen on making his mark on Les Bleus senior side as well, before too long. Rennes will be unwilling to part with their gifted midfielder, but there is not much they can do, when two of Europe’s biggest clubs come calling.

Aside from Bakayoko, scouts from Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton were also looking at Saint-Etienne’s left-back Faouzi Ghoulam, who has been on the radar of both Manchester United and Everton for some time now. With the Red Devils considering the 22-year-old Algerian fullback as a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra, according to the The Express. With Leighton Baines and Bryan Oviedo, currently doing a fabulous job, the Toffees aren’t too short-handed in that department. But, with Moyes more interested in his former player, Leighton Baines, Everton might just need the Algerian if Baines leaves.

But, they have to be on their toes, if they are to snap up the Algerian fullback as Chelsea are reportedly also on the lookout for a left-back. With Ashley Cole‘s future still unclear and Mourinho remaining unconvinced by Cesar Azpilicueta as a left back, the Blues are also looking at the Algerian to shore up their defense. Competing with both Chelsea and United for the left back, might be a tough ask, but the Toffees having given up yet, as they are looking at the Algerian fullback, who along with Bakayoko are two players, they have been keeping a close eye on, in the recent past.

With a trio of Premier League clubs scouring Ligue 1, for two of its bright young prospects, Rennes and Saint-Etienne have their task cut out for them, as they look to keep a hold of their stars.