West Ham United’s interest in Chelsea outcast Michy Batshuayi is well documented but could they also snare another Blues star struggling for game time.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and outcast Michy Batshuayi
Slaven Bilic missed out on permanent deal for Belgian last year but could now be set to land him in swoop from their West London rivals, according to the likes of The Sun.
Batshuayi is yet to start a single Premier League game but the Blues are believed to be reluctant to let him leave on a permanent transfer as they feel he may still develop into a top-class striker.
The Hammers had a £31million bid accepted by Marseille last summer before Chelsea trumped them with a higher offer.
Ironically, despite a dearth of striking talent in their ranks, scoring goals has been the least of West Ham’s problems this season.
Their leaky defence is amongst the worst in the top flight so could the East Londoners bolster both ends of the pitch with a double loan swoop on Stamford Bridge this summer.
That’s because Batshuayi’s teammate Kurt Zouma has admitted to BeIN Sports he may have to look for a loan move in a bid to force his way back into the France squad in what is a World Cup year.
“A loan move ahead of the World Cup? Why not,” Zouma told BeIN Sports.
Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma is considering a loan move
“We will see at the end of the season, but I am focused on Chelsea. I am confident and I know that I will play. I have not had a discussions with Antonio Conte about the future.”
With 33-year-old Jose Fonte failing to impress since his £8 million January move from Southampton and Winston Reid injury prone, West Ham need quality reinforcements at the back.
While Bilic waits to see if Academy duo Reece Oxford and Reece Burke have what it takes to step up to the first team, Zouma would be a good option in the medium term until the young charges are ready to establish themselves.
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