Celtic to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain over former France international Tiémoué Bakayoko | OneFootball

Tiémoué Bakayoko (31) had been all set for a return to football. The former France international’s deal at PAOK expired over the summer and he has yet to find a new club. However, he had been in talks to join Scottish side Celtic. That move has now broken down, as per a report from L’Équipe. 

Bakayoko has enjoyed a journeyman career since leaving AS Monaco, playing for the likes of Chelsea, Napoli, AC Milan, FC Lorient, and PAOK. However, since the expiry of his last deal, he has struggled to get another.

However, the Frenchman had been nearing a move to Celtic, who were prepared to offer him an 18-month contract, L’Équipe understands. Simultaneously, however, the Scottish champions were working on other deals, one of which led to former England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (32). Celtic have prioritised the deal for the former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder and his move to Celtic is expected to be completed at the expense of Bakayoko’s.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle