AC Milan chief Leonardo is ready to bring forward plans to sign permanently Tiemoue Bakayoko.

On a season-long loan from Chelsea, the midfielder has shaken off a poor start to the season to win great praise from Milan coach Rino Gattuso.

Indeed, Gattuso likened Bakayoko to former Milan and Chelsea great Marcel Desailly after victory over Parma.

Calciomercato.com says that's enough for Leonardo, who is now seeking to sign the midfielder permanently in January.

Leonardo knows he needs to move quickly with Marseille expressing tentative interest in recent days.