Chelsea FC have secured their first signing of the summer in the form of Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi, according to reports from England.
Batshuayi was subject to interest from the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Juventus but it seems as if the Blues have won the the race for the Belgian international. According to a report in the Guardian, the Blues have acquired Batshuayi’s services for a fee reported to be around £33.2 million.
The report also states that 35 per cent of the transfer fee will go to his former club Standard Liege, where the he spent six years. The forward reportedly wasn’t too keen on a move to Crystal Palace, after the Eagles had put in a bid worth £31.2 million for him, which was accepted by Marseille.
If this move were to go through, it would be the most expensive sale in Marseille’s history, surpassing a reported £24 million paid by Chelsea themselves, to bring a certain Didier Drogba to Stamford Bridge. Batshuayi, who is with Belgium’s national team in France at the moment, is expected to have his medical before their quarterfinal clash against Wales on Friday. It is understood that he will sign a five-year-deal.
The 22-year-old was in superb form for Marseille last season, netting 23 goals in all competitions. Since moving to the Stade Velodrome in 2014, Batshuayi has grown from strength to strength, and has become one of the most exciting young strikers in Europe. He has scored 33 goals in 78 appearances for Les Phocéens in his two year spell in France.
The striker from Brussels recently opened his European Championship account with a goal against Hungary. His goal was set up by none other than Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
This move would also be Chelsea’s first signing of the season, as they prepare for a new era under incoming manager Antonio Conte. Chelsea have also been linked to Arsenal and Atletico target Alvaro Morata, as they look to bolster their attacking options.
After a horrid 2015/16 campaign, Diego Costa, Loic Remy, Alexandre Pato and Radamel Falcao all face uncertain futures at the club. It was reported earlier in that Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo had claimed that Costa wanted to return to Spain after two years at Chelsea. On loan strikers Pato and Falcao are expected to leave after failing to make an impact and Loic Remy is subject to interest from Turkish giants Fenerbahce.