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Report: Fenerbahce to rival West Ham for long-term Chelsea target

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic (REUTERS)
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Fenerbahce are considering a move for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, which could disrupt West Ham’s own transfer plans.

West Ham United could face competition from Turkey in the pursuit of Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, with Turkish publication Fanatik reporting that Fenerbahce are considering a move.

Representatives from the Super Lig club are in England finalising a deal for Sunderland winger Jeremain Lens – who spent last season on loan at the Istanbul outfit – and they are looking at other potential targets at the same time.

Fenerbahce's Jeremain Lens celebrates scoring their second goalFenerbahce’s Jeremain Lens celebrates scoring their second goal

Batshuayi has come up as a possible signing, as has Manchester City’s Wilfried Bony, as Fenerbahce look to tie up their transfer business early this summer.

This will come as a blow to the Hammers, who are long-term admirers of the Belgium international and were hoping to finally sign him during this window – according to football.london.

West Ham actually had a £30m bid for Batshuayi accepted by Olympique Marseille in 2016, before the Blues swooped in late on to secure the 23-year-old for £33m.

Yet the Belgian found first team opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge in 2016/17 and could well be allowed to leave; although with Diego Costa also expected to depart and Romelu Lukaku having chosen to join Manchester United, the West Londoners will need to sign a replacement first.

One thing that could work in the favour of the East London team is that because of Financial Fair Play rules, talkSPORT reports that Fenerbahce would prefer a loan deal for Batshuayi.

Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi celebrates scoring their first goalChelsea’s Michy Batshuayi celebrates scoring their first goal