Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko has hinted that he would like to stay at AC Milan on a permanent basis once his loan deal expires at the end of the 2022/23 season.
The Frenchman has struggled to gain a regular first-team spot at Stamford Bridge and signed a two-year loan deal with the Serie A club on Monday.
Having previously spent a season at Milan, Bakayoko felt that he was better off playing his football out in Italy after he made 40 appearances in his first spell with the club.
This is the 27-year-old's fourth separate temporary stint away from the Blues since he made the £40m switch in 2017 - he also went out to Monaco and Napoli to gain valuable game time.
Bakayoko, who hasn't featured for Milan in his second spell, would like to stay at the club even after his loan deal ends.
He insisted that Rossoneri are the club he feels most at home with and stressed that he likes the challenge of playing for the Italian side.
Speaking in his press conference after re-signing for Milan, Bakayoko said, "I would very much like to stay with the Rossoneri."
“I consider Milan my real home.
"Here you have to get the most out of it, as it should be."
The Paris-born midfielder hasn't featured in a Chelsea shirt since the 2017/18 season, playing just 29 Premier League games for Maurizio Sarri's men.
Having initially signed a five-year contract, Bakayoko was often criticised for some of his performances, especially when he was sent off after 30 minutes in a 4-1 defeat at Watford.
He has arguably rediscovered his form in Italy and his time at Naples was his most successful, appearing 44 times and scoring twice.
But should he return to the Blues he would face stiff competition to break into their midfield two, with Jorginho, Ngolo Kante and Mateo Kovacic all above him in the pecking order.
That is not to mention new signing Saul Niguez after he made the deadline day move from Atletico Madrid and Billy Gilmour, who is currently on loan at Norwich City.
Bakayoko was involved in Chelsea's pre-season campaign and played in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, but is likely not to be in Thomas Tuchel's plans upon his return from Milan.
