Chelsea could be forced to sell Michy Batshuayi for a cut-price this summer as Frank Lampard looks to oversee an overhaul in the attacking department.
According to HLN, Chelsea are hoping to part ways with Michy Batshuayi in the upcoming summer transfer window. The striker has struggled to impress Frank Lampard, who is now keen on offloading him after the season ends, even for a cut-price. West Ham are among the clubs still linked with a move for the Belgian.
It isn’t the first time Batshuayi has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, however. At the start of last year, he was loaned out to Crystal Palace. And while the Eagles were keen on securing his services permanently, the Blues were demanding a whopping £40 million.
That being said, the Premier League should not expect anything close to that amount this summer, following a disappointing campaign for the Belgian under Lampard.
There were quite a lot of optimism for Batshuayi heading into the campaign, especially following the departure of Eden Hazard, coupled with the fact that Chelsea had no real strikers except Olivier Giroud.
But, the emergence of Tammy Abraham, who is the club’s top goalscorer this season, has seen the Belgian’s overall game-time minimised to just 224 minutes of league football.
Not only Abraham – Batshuayi has also found himself trailing Giroud in the pecking order. And therefore, a move away from Stamford Bridge is now the only option as he seeks to revive his career.
From Chelsea’s perspective, the forward’s sale would also make a lot of sense. He has failed to establish himself as a reliable option in the final third, despite flourishing in his loan spells at Borussia Dortmund and Crystal Palace.
His sale could provide the Londoners with a financial boost, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic that has taken a heavy toll on footballing clubs across Europe.
Not to mention, it could clear the path for Chelsea to recruit other targets in the market, one of which is Dries Mertens. The Napoli star, who is set to leave the club in the summer, is reportedly keen on moving to London, making Lampard’s side a clear favourite in the pursuit.
As for Batshuayi, himself, a move to West Ham would definitely raise a few eyebrows as the Hammers are the direct London rivals of Chelsea. But, it’s a move the Belgian will cherish as David Moyes looks to add more competitive for Sebastien Haller.
