Newcastle United are reportedly contenders to sign Michy Batshuayi.
Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi scores
Michy Batshuayi came off the bench on Sunday to score two goals for Chelsea in their 5-1 final day demolition of Sunderland.
His goals followed up his title winning strike against West Bromwich Albion a week earlier, and demonstrated that he is a talented forward who simply hasn’t been given a proper chance.
Chelsea paid £33 million to sign Batshuayi from Marseille last summer, but he was picked to start just one Premier League match.
Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi scores their fourth goal
He was restricted to cameo roles from the bench, and starts in the cups, and still managed to end the season with nine club goals to his name.
Questions remain over his future at the club, and reported interest from Newcastle United could turn out to be his best option.
Belgian website Voetball Nieuws, citing Nieuwsblad’s print edition, claimed last week that Newcastle have entered the race for Batshuayi’s signature.
HLN journalist Kristoff Terreur also reported last night that Newcastle are interested.
Whether it be on loan or on a permanent deal, Batshuayi and Newcastle could be a perfect match next season.
Recently promoted, Newcastle is a blank canvas once again, ready to re-establish themselves in the top flight, and Batshuayi would fancy his chances of earning the top striker’s role up against Dwight Gayle and Aleksandr Mitrovic.
Michy Batshuayi at Marseille
The Chronicle reported a year ago that Newcastle were interested in Batshuayi, only for their interest to end due to relegation.
Batshuayi may have done enough late in the season to earn another shot at Chelsea next year with Diego Costa a contender to depart, but the Spaniard will be replaced, potentially leaving Batshuayi back in the same spot.
Last season at Marseille he struck 17 league goals and provided nine assists to earn his big move to the Premier League.
Batshuayi, 23, needs to play regularly in order to earn a place in Belgium’s 2018 World Cup squad, and Rafa Benitez could help him flourish, having worked with top strikers from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to Fernando Torres and Gonzalo Higuain.
Chelsea hold the cards, but if they decide to let him move, Newcastle should step up their reported interest and make Batshuayi their top priority.
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