Chelsea are reportedly set to part ways with Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi in the summer
According to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, Michy Batshuayi is expected to leave Chelsea at the end of the season, despite scoring the goal against West Brom that sealed the Premier League title for the Blues on Friday.
The Belgian moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer for a staggering £33 million from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille. He was expected to hit the ground running in the English top flight and mount a challenge for Diego Costa’s spot in the first team.
However, due to the performances of the Spain international, the Belgian has been restricted to a role on the Chelsea bench, and has been brought on late on in the league matches, and has failed to make a telling impact.
In fact, until Chelsea secured the title, Batshuayi did not make a single league start for the Blues. He did score the title-clinching goal against West Brom, but he did that coming off the bench.
Manager Antonio Conte is reportedly unhappy with the progress the Belgian has shown, and is willing to part ways with him despite having signed him at the start of he season. There has been interest from France as well as England, and the choice could be left to the player.
Fellow London side West Ham United were looking to sign him last summer were priced out by Chelsea, but could swoop in with another offer for him once the transfer window opens. French duo of Marseille and Monaco are also interested in bringing the player back to the Ligue 1.
However, Chelsea’s current number one striker Diego Costa’s future currently hinges in the balance, with growing interest from China. There also were reports about him having a bust up with Conte – which could have disgruntled him.
The player himself, has gone on record to say that he is unhappy with life in London, and does not know what the future holds for him. He also stated that he was looking to move to Atletico Madrid last summer, but the move did not go through.
Also, with Chelsea interested in signing Romelu Lukaku, Conte will have to wait and see whether the deal takes place before making up his mind on deciding on Bathshuayi’s future. The Blues also have a few academy players out on loan that could be looking to make the step up next season.
Thus, the coming weeks will help give a better idea as to what the future lies for the aforementioned trio.
