West Ham United would have made a massive statement with the signing of the Belgian; instead he signed for Chelsea.
West Ham United fans had high hopes for Slaven Bilic’s second summer transfer window.
After all, in his first he signed Dimitri Payet, Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini among others, and off the back of a great campaign the expectation was of a potentially era-defining shopping spree.
That was not to be, with some decent additions mixed with some notable risks, and while West Ham certainly have the numbers they did not bring in the top class striker their fans – and their manager – were crying out for.
With the transfer window now closed, Hammers fans can reflect on what might have been, with Michy Batshuayi the one player they should most regret missing out on.
The Belgian international was heavily linked with West Ham prior to his move to Chelsea, and if he had moved to the London Stadium he would have taken Bilic’s side by storm.
Instead he is scrapping for game-time at Stamford Bridge, but even so he has already scored three goals to prove he is a Premier League star in the making.
At just 22, Batshuayi would have been the perfect age to join a West Ham side looking to make another step up this season, swapping an albeit brief Europa League campaign for a shot at a top-four finish.
With Dimitri Payet playing behind, the Belgian would have chances aplenty, and unlike at Chelsea he would have been the first-choice forward week in, week out.
It is easy to reflect on what might have been, but of all West Ham’s missed opportunities it is Batshuayi who stings the most. Especially when he is already proving how good he can be in England.
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