Out-of-favour Chelsea star Michy Batshuayi has come up on the radar of Leeds United as they get ready to add depth to their attacking unit.
According to a report published by the Evening Standard, Leeds United have shortlisted Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi as a transfer target for this summer as they attempt to bolster their attack.
Bathsuayi has been at Chelsea since 2016 signing from Olympique Marseille in a deal worth £35 million. He has, however, failed to live up his hype or his price tag.
In his debut season in the Premier League, Batshuayi played 20 games – starting one – and scored five goals with a frequency of a goal every 47 minutes. He played even less the following season, scoring two goals in his 12 appearances (three starts). This past season, he scored one goal, playing 15 minutes per game in 16 matches.
After being favoured as the backup to Tammy Abraham, he lost this role to Oliver Giroud who came in clutch with impressive performances in the second half of the season. Batshayi’s third-choice spot in the current Chelsea team is as good as gone as well with the arrival of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, who ought to become the first-choice and push Batshuayi further down the pecking order.
After spending an amount upwards of £80 million on two forwards, the Blues are hoping to bring in more firepower in the form of Kai Havertz. However, they need another £80 million to fund this transfer, which can only be financed through player sales. Batshuayi is one of the players that will be sacrificed to help fund Havertz’s transfer.
Leeds United are in the market looking to add offensive depth to their team after being promoted to the Premier League after 16 years. They have come in as one of the two clubs interested in bringing in the 26-year-old, who will have to compete for a spot with Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts.
He does, however, suit Marcelo Bielsa’s high power style that requires constant off the ball movement from the striker. Batshuayi also likes to pin down the opposing backline through pressing, which is another trait of the Bielsa system.
The Whites, though, will be up against Crystal Palace who are interested in signing the Belgian as well after he impressed on loan in the 2018/19 season.
Jordan Ayew played his skin out for Palace in the season gone by, scoring nearly 30% of their goals in the Prem. Christian Benteke has been of little help in the attack, scoring two goals per season for the last three seasons, and the addition of Batshuayi can help them push for a spot in the top half of the table.
It remains to be seen what lies next for Batshuayi, but his time at Chelsea seems to be coming to an end.
