Italian giants AC Milan are interested in acquiring Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on loan in December in a bid to boost their attacking options.

 

After his impressive scoring record at Marseille and Standard Liege, Michy Batshuayi was set for a move abroad this summer. Chelsea fought off competition from Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Juventus to sign the Belgian international for fee reported to be around £33 million.

In doing so, Batshuayi became the most expensive striker to be sold by Marseille in their history, a record that was previously held by Les Phocéens hero and Blues legend Didier Drogba.

Mere days ago it was reported that his former club Marseille, who have had a change in ownership, were willing to take back the Belgian on a loan deal in January. However, according to Calciomercato (h/t Premium Sport), Italian giants AC Milan are now interested in taking Batshuayi on loan.

Batshuayi is reportedly not happy with the amount of game time he has received so far and may opt for a loan move in the winter transfer window. Milan’s current first-choice forward Carlos Bacca has been in superb form so far this season, netting 6 times in 7 Serie A appearances, but Vincenzo Montella’s side still lack depth in their attacking options and Batshuayi would be a significant upgrade on M’Baye Niang.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea celebratse scoring their first goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on August 20, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea celebrates scoring their first goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on August 20, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

Despite getting very limited opportunities, Batshuayi has almost always impressed for Chelsea when he has been on the pitch. The 23-year-old set up Diego Costa’s winner against West Ham United on the opening day of the season and the following week, scored the equaliser against Watford. In the EFL Cup, he scored a brace against Bristol Rovers. However, nearly 3 months into the season, Batshuayi has spent more time on the bench than he would probably have envisioned when he joined the club.

Antonio Conte was widely expected to use a 2-striker formation, a system that he applied at Juventus to such great effect. But given the lack of stability in Chelsea’s midfield and the uncertain state of Chelsea’s defence, Conte has mostly set his team up in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Diego Costa leading the line.

For the moment, Costa has been in absolutely unstoppable form under Conte and the Spaniard cannot be dropped from this Chelsea side if they are to try and churn out victories. Batshuayi remains the only other fit striker within the Chelsea ranks and it is highly unlikely that the Blues will let him go anywhere in January.

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