Chelsea are in talks with Monaco over the £42m signing of defensive midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, in a move that could then see Nemanja Matic join Manchester United.

Antonio Conte is currently looking to enhance his midfield this summer while a total of six signings have been outlined by the title-winning manager as he plans to strengthen and deepen his squad, and the energy of 22-year-old Bakayoko has been highlighted as key to increasing the thrust of the side.

The French international has been a key player in Monaco’s season in which the French club clinched the Ligue 1 title and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Chelsea summer transfer targets Show all 8 1 /8 Chelsea summer transfer targets Chelsea summer transfer targets 1. Franck Kessie, Atalanta The first of many Serie A players on the list is Atalanta’s Franck Kessie, who scored six goals in 32 in the league from central midfield. The 20-year-old is subject of an offer from Roma, but it is thought that Conte sees the energetic Ivorian as a good option for the coming season and could intervene if the player decides to leave. A sum of just over £20m is expected to be enough to secure Kessie’s signature. Chelsea summer transfer targets 2. Radja Nainggolan, AS Roma Fiery midfielder Nainggolan was the target of a Chelsea bid last summer, and it is thought that Conte could prise him away from Italy this time around, as part of a double swoop with Antonio Rudiger at £70m. He is a player the former Juventus manager knows very well, and would fit perfectly into Chelsea’s side with his combative style. While Roma will be desperate to avoid letting two key players go in one hit, it may be difficult to turn down the right offer. Chelsea summer transfer targets 3. Alex Sandro, Juventus Sandro is emerging as one of Europe’s finest left backs and the Juventus man will be high on Conte’s list of targets. He is far more mobile than Marcos Alonso and would unlikely find it difficult adapting to Conte’s methods, which are largely similar to that of current Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri. The player is also being tracked by Manchester City, and could cost upwards of £40m. Chelsea summer transfer targets 4. David Stockdale, Brighton Asmir Begovic is likely to leave Stamford Bridge in search of regular first-team football, and David Stockdale is an option for Chelsea. The 31 year-old keeper is out of contract this summer and helped his current club secure promotion to the Premier League this season. However, his error in the final game gifted Aston Villa an equaliser and Newcastle top spot in the Championship, and Stockdale later posted on twitter that he was ‘gutted to go out like that’ and thanked Brighton’s fans and staff, adding fuel to the fire over the exit rumours. Chelsea summer transfer targets 5. Ben Gibson, Middlesbrough Gibson’s stellar performances have been widely recognised over the course of this season and the 24-year-old centre back has worked his way into the England set-up. He is in a similar mould to the departing Terry and Conte is supposedly a big admirer of the £30m rated Middlesbrough man. Chelsea summer transfer targets 6. Andrea Belotti, Torino Another forward linked to Chelsea is Andrea Belotti, who at 23 has his best years ahead of him. The €100m release clause, applicable only to clubs outside of Italy, which was negotiated into his contract by club president Urbano Cairo, makes a move seem increasingly unlikely; nonetheless, the Italian is at the very least on Chelsea’s radar this summer. Chelsea summer transfer targets 7. Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez is thought to be seeking a move away from the Emirates this season after the Gunners’ disappointing campaign. He has stalled over signing a new contract, and with his current deal expiring next summer, Chelsea’s London rivals are at serious risk of losing their star man. While Wenger has insisted Arsenal no longer have to sell their best players, it could become a difficult situation if Sanchez wishes to stay in the capital and tries to force a move to Chelsea. Considering his contract situation, £55m could be enough to acquire the Chilean, with Bayern Munich apparently ready to offer exactly that at the start of the window. Chelsea summer transfer targets 7. Fernando Llorente, Swansea Antonio Conte has worked with Llorente in the past at Juventus and is keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge, though faces competition from Spurs. Getty

Should Chelsea complete the signing, it will mean Matic’s playing time is likely to be more limited next season, and would encourage United to make a firm bid.

Jose Mourinho remains an admirer of his former midfielder at Stamford Bridge, and it is understood the Serbian would be keen to work with his old boss, with personal terms having already been discussed between intermediaries.

Much depends on the signing of Bakayoko, as Mourinho’s alternative options in midfield are his Monaco teammate Fabinho - who can also play right-back - and Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier.

The French champions have been braced for a raid on their revelatory young squad - having already sold Bernardo Silva to Manchester City for £43m - but still do not want to sell more than three or four of their stars.