Everton planning late swoop for Michy Batshuayi

With Deadline Day finally here, Everton are reportedly planning to make a late move for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.

Earlier, we looked at the interest Everton apparently had, in signing Watford’s Stefano Okaka on loan. More specifically, we wondered if this was really the best they could do, in their desperate scramble to sign another striker before 11:00 pm BST.

Well, as the clock ticks down towards zero, we can at least reassure Evertonians their beloved club are still considering other options. As reported by Stuart Ballard of the Express, these options include Michy Batshuayi.

Ballard writes that Everton are planning a Deadline Day move for Batshuayi. The news was first reported by French media outlet, Foot Mercato.

Everton’s interest in the Chelsea striker is understandable. He announced his arrival as a 20-year-old, scoring 23 goals for Standard Liege during the 2013/14 season, and has continued to impress ever since.

However, would Batshuayi really be prepared to join the Blues, just one season after singing a five-year deal to move to Stamford Bridge? Ronald Koeman apparently believes so.

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This belief likely comes from the 23-year-old’s inability to start regularly for Chelsea. At least he has still been able to display his talents when he does play, as evidenced by nine goals in 28 appearances last season.

As for Chelsea themselves, how eager are they to let Batshuayi leave, with him providing excellent depth up front? Interestingly, any decision could be linked to Ross Barkley.

As we wrote on Wednesday, the Pensioners want to sign Barkley. However, they have had a bid of £25 million turned down by Everton.

Of course, it depends how legitimate the Blues’ apparent interest in Batshuayi is, but Chelsea theoretically have an excellent bargaining chip. Essentially, we could be looking at an NFL-style trade, with each club receiving an important addition to their squad.

Whether all of this is enough to facilitate a deal between Everton and Chelsea, remains to be seen. However, with the Blues needing a striker and Barkley wanting to leave, it certainly makes a lot of sense.

Next: Blues can do better than Stefano Okaka

Would Batshuayi tick all the boxes for you, if the Blues signed him? Or would it be a letdown, after all the strikers they’ve been linked to during these past two months? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.