Former Chelsea midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko is being linked with a move to Celtic, with the Scottish Premiership side reportedly weighing up a deal for the free agent.
The 31-year-old defensive midfielder, currently listed as “Without Club”, has emerged as a potential low-cost option for Celtic, according to data from transfer specialists. His market value is currently estimated at €800k, a figure that could make him an attractive short-term addition for a club seeking experienced cover at the base of midfield. No fee would be required, and there is no indicated probability attached to the move, underlining that talks, if any, remain at a speculative stage.
Bakayoko left Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki for free in the 2025-26 campaign and has been unattached since. Before that, he had a brief spell at FC Lorient following several loans away from Chelsea, including stints at AC Milan, Napoli and Monaco.
Born in Paris on 17 August 1994 and standing at 1.89m, Bakayoko is primarily a defensive midfielder and is noted in the data as holding both French and Côte d’Ivoire nationality. His value has declined markedly from a peak of €40m during his early Chelsea period in 2018 to its current €800k assessment after his release from PAOK, reflecting a career that has gradually moved away from Europe’s top tier.
The midfielder’s transfer history charts a steady progression from Stade Rennais’ youth ranks to Monaco, where his performances earned a move to the Premier League with Chelsea in 2017. Subsequent loans to Milan, Monaco and Napoli brought regular exposure to Serie A and Ligue 1 before his later moves back to France and then Greece.
If Celtic decide to formalise their interest, a move to Glasgow could offer Bakayoko a fresh platform in a title-chasing environment and the chance to reshape the latter stages of his career in a league where his experience and physical presence might still prove influential.
