Everton have tabled a £26.4million bid for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, according to a reliable journalist.
Gazzetta dello Sport correspondent Nicolo Schira claims the Merseysiders have made a formal move to land the Belgium international, who is on a season-long loan at Valencia.
Schira explains that Monaco are also in the race to sign Batshuayi, although the Ligue 1 club want him on loan for the rest of the campaign.
After Monaco (wants him on loan) also #Everton has asked Michy #Batshuayi. Toffees has offered €30M to #Chelsea.#transfers. #CFC #EFC
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) January 18, 2019
Good move for Everton?
With Oumar Niasse out on loan to Cardiff for the rest of the season, there is at last some space on the Everton wage bill to recruit a blue-chip striker. There’s no doubt the Merseysiders are crying out for a penalty box predator who is worthy of the name. Cenk Tosun and Niasse have failed to make the grade, while highly-rated Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not quite ready to lead the lead for a major Premier League club although his time will eventually come. Batshuayi is a signing for today, rather than tomorrow, and his track record is impressive, even if he has had a difficult few years. Everton would be pulling off a major coup if they can land the centre-forward before the 31 January cut-off.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
The word is that Chelsea want £40million for Batshuayi this month. A deal appears some way off at this stage, but the London club would surely prefer a permanent transfer rather than yet another loan for the 25-year-old. It is to Everton’s advantage that they are willing to spend big on Batshuayi. Don’t rule this one out.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10