MICHY BATSHUAYI’s time at Chelsea looks to be at an end.
The Belgian striker failed to make either starting XI in the Blues’ intrasquad friendly last week.
Michy Batshuayi looks set to leave Chelsea this summer – if they can find a buyer.Credit: PA:Press Association
And with Chelsea set to sign Timo Werner this summer, reports say Batshuayi is surplus to requirements.
According to reports, Batshuayi came on for the last third of their in-house encounter but played no part in Chelsea’s friendly with Reading at their Cobham training ground on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old has spent the majority of this season playing second fiddle to Tammy Abraham but a poor performance against Manchester United in February and the resurgence of Olivier Giroud has seen him slide down the pecking order.
Giroud signed a one-year contract extension at Stamford Bridge last month but no such deal is forthcoming for Batshuayi, whose contract expires in 2021.
The Belgian international has scored 25 goals in 77 appearances for the Blues since a £33million move from Marseille in 2016.
Those outings have been interspersed with loans away from Chelsea at Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Crystal Palace.
Palace were keen to sign Batshuayi last summer but Chelsea’s transfer ban meant they were unable to sign a replacement.
The Athletic claim the Eagles have since ruled out of a move while West Ham have also been linked with a bid for the frontman’s services.
Batshuayi currently earns £110,000-a-week but that figure could prove difficult to match in the current climate.
Chelsea will hope that selling Batshuayi can help fund further spending this summer.
The Londoners have already spent £36million on a deal to bring Hakim Ziyech to the club this summer, while German striker Werner looks set to follow after the £50million release clause in his RB Leipzig contract was triggered last week.
The Blues have also been linked with moves for Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell and £90million-rated Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz as Frank Lampard looks to spend big to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea flop Tiemoue Bakayoko wanted by West Ham with Moyes eyeing season-long loan for £40m midfielder
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
