Chelsea identify 'top target' for summer transfer window in race with Liverpool and Man City

Chelsea are reportedly willing to rival Liverpool and Manchester City for the signing of PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko.

Bakayoko is enjoying a strong season with his current employers, scoring eight goals and providing 13 assists in all competitions as PSV close in on claiming the Eredivisie title. Yet to lose a league game after 26 games played, the Dutch club have only eight matches remaining to complete their unbeaten streak.

Key to this success has been Bakayoko, a product of PSV's academy and someone who is being linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe ahead of the summer transfer window. Sky Germany have claimed Chelsea consider the Belgian a «top target», though will face competition from City, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain.

The 20-year-old has no release clause in his current deal and is under contract until 2026, which is likely to make striking a deal all the more complicated. It is believed PSV are seeking a price worth between €50million (£42m) and €60m (£51m) for his services.

Bakayoko signed a new deal at PSV in February of last year amid interest from PSG, who are believed to have launched a bid for the forward during the 2023 January transfer window

Should Chelsea decide to pursue a move for the youngster in the summer, this would represent a second attacking signing of a PSV player in less than one year. The Blues, of course, recruited Noni Madueke in January 2023 and are starting to see the best of the English during his first full campaign at Stamford Bridge.

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The same scenario would also