Chelsea are planning a Belgian shuffle: Dries Mertens in, Michy Batshuayi out

Chelsea are hoping for Dries Mertens in, Michy Batshuayi out

HLN reporter Kristof Terreur has reported on two pieces of transfer news regarding Chelsea on Thursday for the Belgian paper.

Chelsea have decided to offload Michy Batshuayi this summer after he’s failed to hold down a first team spot during his Blues career.

At the same time the Pensioners are keen on signing Dries Mertens from Napoli as a replacement.

Duivel uit, Duivel in? Chelsea duwt Batshuayi naar de uitgang en kijkt naar Mertens https://t.co/tccCjBi8Oo pic.twitter.com/6msHV7nHgr

— HLN Sport (@hlnsport) April 30, 2020

 

Michy Batshuayi has no future at Stamford Bridge

26-year-old Batshuayi is under contract with Chelsea until 2021.

However, Kristof Terreur seems pretty certain that he’s on the chopping block at Chelsea:

The striker has not been in Frank Lampard’s plans for a while.

In London, it can be heard that he has wasted his last chance.

Batman has no future on Stamford Bridge.

Selling Batshuayi at the next possible opportunity will hit the Blues’ balance sheet.

Kristof Terreur believes Marina Granovskaia knows she’s going to have to take a loss on Batshuayi to get him off their books.

Chelsea’s “ideal” result for Batshuayi would be to involve him in a swap deal.

When it comes to possible suitors, HLN say West Ham and Crystal Palace are interested, as are Marseille and Monaco.

 

Could Chelsea sign Dries Mertens?

Soon to be 33, Dries Mertens is about to become a free agent.

The Belgian forward’s contract at Napoli expires on June 30.

This season, Mertens has scored 6 goals in 21 Serie A games. He’s also chipped in with 5 assists.

Kristof Terreur reports that claims Frank Lampard is on the phone with the player every day aren’t true.

However, the HLN reporter does note “the Blues are still in contact, but there is no pressure.”

The bottom line, however, is that Mertens is refusing to make any decision on his future until there’s more clarity on how football can return during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Also see: Fixtures & Coronavirus: Stop dates & predicted restart schedules for European leagues, Champions League & Euro 2020.

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