Chelsea have entered the race to sign £31m-rated Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi this summer after he reportedly snubbed an approach to join West Ham.
According to the Mirror, the Blues have drawn up a shortlist of strikers they are looking to sign this summer, including the Belgian forward.
However, their primary targets remain Juventus and Spain star Alvaro Morata, as well as their former striker Romelu Lukaku – a compatriot of Batshuayi’s – who has impressed since his move to Everton several seasons ago.
Antonio Conte is bracing himself for a possible Diego Costa exit amid reports he’s looking to leave the West London club this summer, and wants to have one or two replacements lined up.
West Ham are well-known to be on the trail for a top striker this summer, and are keen on Batshuayi, but have been unwilling to meet Marseille’s £31m asking price thus far.
The Ligue 1 side are under severe financial pressure to sell their star striker after budgeting for his departure in their club accounts which they will present at the end of the month. Failure to sell Batshuayi could result in the club facing sanctions for breaching DNCG regulations.
However, it appears their pursuit of Batshuayi could well be over after it has been revealed that the striker is only interested in a move to a bigger club, or a club playing Champions League football.
West Ham’s striker search have taken them to South America where they are reportedly closing in on the signing of Boca Juniors forward Jonathan Calleri. The Argentine has netted 12 times in 24 games on loan at Sao Paulo.
