According to a recent report by the Daily Express, Premier League outfit, West Ham United are said to be the frontrunners in the race for the signature of Chelsea’s Belgian international striker Michy Batshuayi. The report suggests that Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are the other two teams currently interested in the forward’s services, with the striker having formerly had a loan spell at Selhurst Park. Chelsea have reportedly agreed on a deal to sign Timo Werner from RB Leipzig this summer, thereby making the former Valencia man’s talents surplus to requirements at West London.
With West Ham United interested in Michy Batshuayi, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side are said to have placed an exorbitant price tag in the region of £40m on the striker’s head. While Crystal Palace are said to have been put off by the Blues’ valuation, the Magpies and the Hammers are still hot on his tail. Lampard is reportedly prepared to offload multiple players to fund an overhaul at Stamford Bridge this summer. Fortunately, for them, it has coincided with the other London club’s search for a new striking option.
What Is Michy Batshuayi’s Legacy In The Premier League?
The Belgian international arrived at Chelsea from Marseille back in the summer of 2016, and purely because of the club he came from, a lot of the Chelsea faithful took it upon themselves to compare him to Didier Drogba. Although there were some positive signs initially, it soon became apparent that Batshuayi was never going to break into the first-team at Stamford Bridge, as he had to do with a place on the bench for most of his career. The forward spent a reasonably successful spell at Borussia Dortmund, before slightly worse ones at Valencia and Crystal Palace.
The striker’s biggest achievement at Chelsea came at the end of the 17/18 Premier League season when he scored the goal that secured the Blues the league title. Although he doesn’t quite reach the standard at Chelsea, there’s no denying that Batshuayi has the potential to be a potent goalscorer on his day. A significant presence in the box, the Belgian brings good finishing attributes to the table, while also boasting the physicality required to survive in the gritty nature of the Premier League.
What Will Batshuayi Bring To The London Stadium?
The forward hasn’t been at his best recently, having had to play second fiddle to Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud this season. The 26-year-old though still has the best years of his playing career ahead of him and a move to a club like West Ham could be exactly what he needs to reinvigorate his career.
The Hammers acquired French forward Sebastien Haller last summer in an expensive deal, but unfortunately for them, he struggled to settle into life in England. Bringing in the Belgian to provide competition for the role could help David Moyes eventually bring the best out of both of them.
West Ham United Interested In Michy Batshuayi: Should The Hammers Look To Sign Him?
The former Dortmund striker has proven in glimpses that he’s got what it takes to excel at the highest level, while West Ham are in desperate need for more centre-forward options. The forward’s influence in Frank Lampard’s system at the Bridge has been dwindling, and a move away would be in the best interest of his career. Given the predicament that the Hammers find themselves in, this move would be a no-brainer.
David Moyes already boasts some high-quality attackers in his ranks, who are all capable of bringing the best out of a good striker, and Batshuayi could, in fact, be extremely well-suited to the Hammers’ explosive style of play.
