Newcastle or West Ham – Where would be best fit for Michy Batshuayi?

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Both Newcastle and West Ham are said to be interested in a loan deal for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.

Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi scores their first goal

Once again West Ham United have been linked with Michy Batshuayi, with ESPN now reporting the East London club are preparing a loan offer for the Chelsea striker.

The Hammers have been interested in Batshuayi for some time, even trying to sign the Belgian from Marseille last summer before the Blues swooped in with a £33m deal.

However, the 23-year-old has struggled for game time since arriving at Stamford Bridge, starting just one Premier League match in 2016/17 and it is little wonder an exit seems likely.

Yet West Ham will face competition should they finally look to land Batshuayi, with the Mirror reporting that Newcastle United are also interested in a loan deal. But what would be the best move for the player?

Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi celebrates scoring their first goal

Minutes on the pitch is clearly what the Belgium international is currently lacking, but with both interested clubs needing new forwards that could well be achieved at either the London Stadium or St James’ Park.

Andy Carroll does remain the focal point in attack for the Hammers, but fitness remains an issue, while Sky Bet Championship top-scorer Dwight Gayle is the Magpies’ main man but may struggle to replicate that form in the top flight.

Batshuayi is versatile in attack and can drop deep, but certainly has an eye for goal with a better minute-per-goal ratio in the Premier League than Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane. He has also shown he can operate in a 3-4-3 formation, something West Ham have favoured in recent times.

Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi scores their first goal

Of course Batshuayi would need support and in truth Newcastle may be the more attacking outfit. Although admittedly in the Championship, they were far and away the top-scorers in the division with 85 goals. In contrast Slaven Bilic’s side ranked 11th in the top tier for goals scored.

Both sides would be desperate to sign a forward of Batshuayi’s quality, but after a difficult first year in England the player needs to make sure this next move is the right one for him.