Michy Batshuayi has fallen down the pecking order under Frank Lampard (Getty Images)
According to a report from the Daily Post, Everton are interested in signing Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, who is currently on loan at Crystal Palace. The Belgian striker, however, is expected to return Chelsea after his loan spell at Selhurst Park expires at the end of the season.
Michy Batshuayi, 25, has done well since joining the Eagles in the January transfer window. He has scored two goals in nine Premier League outings, whilst giving Crystal Palace a much-needed presence up top.
The 25-year-old has combined very well with the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend, proving to be a shrewd loan signing for Roy Hodgson’s side.
But Calcio 365 has revealed that Chelsea are demanding €45 million for Batshuayi in the summer, an amount which is out of Palace’s reach. However, Everton have the financial muscle and must go all out to sign the Belgian international at the end of this season.
Everton have failed to replace Romelu Lukaku since his departure to Manchester United in the summer of 2017. And the inability to replace the big Belgian has cost the Toffees dearly in the last couple of seasons.
The Merseysiders did sign Cenk Tosun from Besiktas in January 2018 but he has struggled to live up to the billing at the club. Tosun has managed just two goals this season which has seen him lose his place to Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the starting XI.
Calvert-Lewin appears to have finally earned manager Marco Silva’s faith, starting the last six league games. Even though the 22-year-old is relishing life in the Premier League at the moment, Everton’s goalscoring problems run deep and can only be cured with the addition of another centre-forward.
That’s when signing Michy Batshuayi would make sense for the Royal Blues. Batshuayi has failed to hit leave up to the expectations of the Chelsea fans since arriving from Marseille in 2016. Even after spells at Borussia Dortmund and Valencia, his Blues career remains up in the air as Maurizio Sarri doesn’t rate the 25-year-old.
In order to fulfil his top potential, Everton would be an ideal destination for Batshuayi, who’ll give Silva’s attack a different dimension. He is a physical presence but has good pace to burn and agility to get past his opponent and finish off a move. The former Marseille man is a composed finisher in front of goal and his all-round game is definitely improving week in and week out under Palace manager Roy Hodgson.
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The Belgium international of Congolese descent is a big threat in the air and more than capable at holding the ball up, something the Everton forwards lack at the moment. Furthermore, Batshuayi can link-up play very well with the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Bernard and Richarlison which in turn will make Everton a potent force going forward.
Hence, Silva must not think twice in persuading the board to splash the cash on Batshuayi, who has the potential to be a smash hit at the Goodison Park.