Everton boss Frank Lampard is keen to raid former club Chelsea in order to land Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi, according to reports.
What’s the word?
As per 90min, the Toffees are said to be ‘in talks’ regarding a summer deal for the 26-year-old, with the Stamford Bridge outfit believed to be open to a departure in order to help lower their current wage bill.
The report suggests that any move to sign the 6 foot 1 menace – who spent last season on loan at Besiktas – would be a permanent one, bringing an end to his six-year stay in west London.
Lampard is seemingly hoping to utilise his Blues connections in order to secure a triple swoop before the September deadline, with the report also outlining that the Merseysiders are eyeing moves for both Billy Gilmour and Ross Barkley.
Imagine him and McNeil
While it has never worked out for Batshuayi during his time at his parent club – having been shipped out on loan on five occasions over the past few years – that’s not to suggest that he couldn’t thrive at Goodison Park, having showcased his talent during those temporary stints.
His latest loan move to Turkey proved particularly fruitful for the £69k-per-week marksman as he netted 14 goals and provided five assists in 33 Super Lig games last term, enjoying something of a career rejuvenation in Istanbul.
Would you take Michy Batshuayi at Everton?
Yes
No
Once dubbed “prolific” by journalist Alex Wood, the £9m-rated ace also continues to impress on the international stage for the Red Devils, having scored 25 goals in just 45 caps thus far since making his debut back in 2015.
Equally, prior to his £33m move to Chelsea, the Brussels-born hotshot had also enjoyed stunning spells in both Belgium and France, scoring 44 goals in 120 games at Standard Liege, before bagging a further 33 times in just 78 appearances at Marseille.
Should he be able to recapture the form that he showed early on in his career – as well as last season – then Lampard and co could well have a real talent on their hands, with the former England international potentially able to pair the forward with new arrival, Dwight McNeil.
The 22-year-old has already sparked excitement over his potential impact at the club having netted twice on ‘debut’ in the recent pre-season victory over Dynamo Kyiv, after joining on a £20m deal from relegated Burnley earlier this week.
Comfortable all across the front line, the Englishman could be the man to supply the goods for Batshuayi to feed off in attack, with such a dynamic partnership likely to help ease the blow of the departure of former talisman, Richarlison.
Goals were undoubtedly an issue last term as the Toffees netted just 43 times in the Premier League, with McNeil’s wicked delivery and the Belgian’s finishing prowess likely to prove the perfect solution to those attacking woes.
AND in other news: “Still keen..”: Journo drops big Everton transfer update that’ll worry supporters