Mourinho prepares £40m raid for Bakayoko

Manchester United have reportedly made French star Tiemoue Bakayoko their new number one transfer target this month, according to the Daily Star.

The Premier League side, who currently sit sixth in the English top-flight table having won their last six league outings in a row, have been continuously linked with a move for AS Monaco’s highly-rated midfielder in the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old, who is a France Under-21 international, has scored two goals in 27 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 outfit so far this season.

Bakayoko, who is also said to be a target for the Red Devils’ Premier League rivals Chelsea, joined Monaco from Rennes back in 2014 for just £4m.

The report suggests United boss Jose Mourinho is ready to stump up £40m for the defensive midfielder as his ideal replacement for Morgan Schneiderlin, after offloading the fellow Frenchman to Everton for £22m, plus as a long-term successor to Michael Carrick.