According to reports from The Express, Valencia have emerged as the favourites in the race to sign Marseille frontman Michy Batshuayi.
The 22-year-old was heavily linked with a Premier League move during the summer transfer window and his superlative form since, claiming eight goals and three assists in 13 Ligue 1 appearances, has continued to generate interest from the English top flight.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have all been linked with January bids for the Belgium international, who Marseille president Vincente Labrune publicly valued at a whopping £35million last week.
He told french publication La Derniere Heure; “There is not a single top 15 world club that is not interested in Batshuayi. He is one of the most wanted players on the market. There were a lot of offers for him this summer, but he did not want to leave. He is proving himself on the pitch. And if clubs want him then they are going to have to pay up. Around €50m!”
In addition to finding the sums to meet Batshuayi’s lofty price-tag, however, the 5 foot 11 forward’s Premier League suitors have another transfer obstacle to deal with.
According to The Express, at least, Valencia are currently the favourites to land Batshuayi in January as they seek a long-term successor to Alvaro Negredo. The Spain international has scored just six times in 35 appearances since moving to the Mestalla from Manchester City in summer 2014 and could be offloaded in the new year.