Marcelo Bielsa keen to reunite with Michy Batshuayi at Leeds United
According to Het Laatste Nieuws (h/t The Express), Premier League newcomers Leeds United are readying a bid for out of favour Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.
The 26-year-old Belgian has been at Chelsea since 2016. He has, however, failed to make an impact and finds himself on the fringes of the first-team.
Batshuayi has made just 24 appearances this season and does not garner much confidence in manager Frank Lampard. Although his tally of six goals and two assists is not the worst, his performances have left much to be desired.
Having started the season as the club’s second-choice striker behind Tammy Abraham, Batshuayi saw himself end the campaign further down the list.
With Timo Werner now at the club, the Belgian is at best Chelsea’s fourth choice. With just a year to go on his contract, the Blues will do well to recoup what they can for him this summer.
According to the report, he could make a fresh start at Leeds. Marcelo Bielsa is keen to reunite with the Belgian, having coached him earlier at Olympic Marseille.
The Blues are also keen to end the association and have offered the player to the Championship winners. Batshuayi’s massive £100,000-a-week wages could however prove to be a stumbling block.
Yet another obstacle could prove to be the player’s love for London. Chelsea have however come to terms that they will not have to make a loss on a player they paid £33million for just four years ago.
As per the report, Leeds are weighing up a bid worth £22.6m. There is nothing concrete between both sides yet and it remains to be seen if an agreement can be reached upon.
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The writing was on the wall for Batshuayi even before the restart. The Belgian was largely sidelined during Chelsea’s preparations and was among the two players who were not allotted a shirt number.