Levski Sofia Eyes Tiemoué Bakayoko Amid PAOK Struggles
Levski Sofia is reportedly in talks to secure the services of former French international Tiemoué Bakayoko, according to Topic sport. The 30-year-old midfielder, currently owned by PAOK, has found himself in a challenging situation at the Greek club, prompting Levski to explore a potential loan deal for the remainder of the season.
Bakayoko’s time at PAOK has been marred by a strained relationship with Romanian coach razvan Lucescu. This conflict has limited his playing time to just four league matches this season. He has also made one appearance in the Greek Cup adn three in the Europa League, only one of which was as a starter. Despite his limited involvement,Bakayoko has yet to score for the Greek side.
The defensive midfielder boasts an remarkable resume, having played for top European clubs like Chelsea, AC Milan, and Napoli. Though, his career has seen a decline in recent years. After a promising start at Monaco,where he scored two goals in 32 games during the 2016/17 season,Bakayoko moved to Chelsea.He made 29 premier League appearances for the London club, netting twice, before joining Milan.
While he initially played regularly at Milan, subsequent loan spells at Monaco and Napoli failed to reignite his form. A return to Milan in 2023/24 saw him struggle to establish himself, leading to a move to Lorient, who were relegated from France’s top flight. Bakayoko then joined PAOK this summer, but his time in Greece has been far from fruitful.
Levski Sofia is keen to bring Bakayoko on board, though financial constraints mean they cannot purchase him outright. Instead, the Bulgarian club aims to secure him on loan, with plans to cover half of his ample salary. Bakayoko’s contract with PAOK is set to expire soon, making him a free agent at the end of the campaign.
The midfielder’s career trajectory has been a rollercoaster. From his early days at Rennes, where he progressed from the second team to the first in 2013/14, to his standout season at Monaco that earned him a move to Chelsea, bakayoko has experienced both highs and lows. Now, Levski Sofia hopes to provide him with a platform to rediscover his form.
| Key Details | Information |
|——————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Current Club | PAOK |
| Potential New Club | Levski Sofia |
| Age | 30 |
| Height | 185 cm |
| Previous Clubs | Rennes, Monaco, Chelsea, AC Milan, Napoli, Lorient |
| Season appearances (PAOK) | 4 league matches, 1 Greek Cup, 3 Europa League (1 start) |
| Contract Status | Set to become a free agent at the end of the season |
Bakayoko’s situation has also attracted interest from brazilian club Resyifa, adding another layer of intrigue to his future. For now, Levski Sofia appears to be the frontrunner, hoping to leverage his experience and talent to bolster thier squad.
as negotiations continue, fans will be watching closely to see if Bakayoko can reignite his career in Bulgaria. For more updates on this developing story, visit StandartNews.com.
Can Tiemoué Bakayoko rediscover His form at Levski Sofia?
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As negotiations between Levski Sofia and PAOK continue, the spotlight is firmly on Tiemoué Bakayoko. The former French international, whose career has seen both peaks and valleys, coudl find a fresh start in bulgaria. In this exclusive interview, Senior Editor John Carter of world-today-news.com sits down with football analyst Mark thompson to discuss bakayoko’s potential move,his recent struggles,and what Levski Sofia stands to gain from this deal.
Bakayoko’s Struggles at PAOK: A Rocky Road
John Carter: Mark, let’s start with Bakayoko’s current situation at PAOK. He’s had limited playing time this season. What’s been the main issue?
Mark Thompson: It’s a combination of factors, John. Bakayoko’s relationship with coach Razvan Lucescu has been strained, which has considerably reduced his opportunities on the pitch. He’s only started one game in the Europa League and has largely been sidelined in domestic competitions. This has undoubtedly been frustrating for a player of his caliber.
Levski Sofia’s Interest: A risk Worth Taking?
John Carter: Levski Sofia is reportedly interested in bringing Bakayoko on loan. Given his recent form, is this a gamble worth taking for the Bulgarian club?
Mark Thompson: Absolutely. While Bakayoko’s career has seen a decline in recent years, his experience at top-tier clubs like Chelsea,AC Milan, and Napoli speaks volumes. If Levski can provide him with regular playing time and a supportive surroundings, he could rediscover his form. The club’s financial constraints meen they’re aiming for a loan deal, which is a low-risk, high-reward scenario.
Career Highs and Lows: From Monaco to Bulgaria
John Carter: Bakayoko’s career trajectory has been a rollercoaster. What do you think went wrong after his promising start at Monaco?
Mark Thompson: His move to Chelsea was a turning point. While he showed flashes of brilliance, inconsistency plagued his time there. Loan spells at Milan, Monaco, and Napoli didn’t quite reignite his career. by the time he returned to Milan last season, he struggled to secure a regular spot. his subsequent moves to lorient and PAOK have only added to his challenges. However, Bakayoko is still only 30, and there’s plenty of time for him to turn things around.
What’s Next for Bakayoko?
John Carter: Reports suggest interest from Brazilian club Resyifa as well. Do you think Levski Sofia is the best fit for him at this stage?
Mark Thompson: Levski Sofia offers him a chance to become a key player in a competitive league, which could be exactly what he needs to rebuild his confidence. Moving to Brazil would be a wholly different challenge, culturally and tactically. For now, staying in Europe seems like the smarter choice, especially if he wants to position himself for a return to a higher-profile league in the future.
Final Thoughts: Can Bakayoko Reignite His Career?
John Carter: As negotiations continue, what’s your prediction for Bakayoko’s future?
Mark Thompson: If Levski Sofia can finalize the deal and provide him with the platform he needs, I believe Bakayoko can rediscover his form. It all depends on his mindset and how quickly he adapts to a new environment. This could be a pivotal moment in his career, and I’m optimistic we’ll see the Bakayoko of old in the Bulgarian league.
For more updates on this developing story, visit StandartNews.com.
