The battle for Batshuayi takes a new twist as Chelsea move in
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The fight to secure Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi’s signature has taken another turn this morning, with Chelsea now believed to be the front-runner for the Belgian.
Just yesterday it appeared Crystal Palace had stolen an edge on the likes of West Ham and Juventus, but now Chelsea have gazumped them all.
Marseille had accepted a £31m offer from the Eagles earlier this week, but it’s believed Batshuayi had some reservations about moving to Selhurst Park.
Chelsea’s offer is a late and surprising one, believed to be for around £33m, but though they – like Palace – can’t offer European football next term, it shouldn’t be long before they are back in contention for major trophies.
Batshuayi hammered in 17 goals in 36 Ligue 1 games last term – over a third of his side’s total – as Marseille limped to 13th place.
Currently on duty with Belgium – and scoring versus Hungary – at the European Championships, Batshuayi has been one of the most sought-after players on the continent over the past year.
At just 22, his best days are certainly still to come, but his arrival at Stamford Bridge would be a significant one as Chelsea enter a new era under Antonio Conte.
The signing of Batshuayi would also raise speculation as to the future of Diego Costa, with the Blues also keeping tabs on Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata.
Having been tolerated for his on-pitch tantrums and disciplinary problems in his Chelsea career, is the signing of Batshuayi the first sign that new boss Conte won’t put up with Costa’s theatrics?
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
