Everton turn to Michy Batshuayi as Broja hopes fade

It still seems very possible Everton will sign a current Chelsea striker before the transfer window closes, only it doesn’t look as though it will be the forward most fans might want.

Since early on in the transfer window, there have been strong rumours that Everton wanted another striker and these stories only got more intense of course after Richarlison left for Spurs.

The Chelsea forward most often linked with the Toffees’ has been Armando Broja. The promising 20-year-old striker had a solid campaign last season on loan at Southampton and has attracted substantial attention from several Premier League clubs including Everton.

At one point it seemed as though he might go to West Ham United. But, although their interest appeared to be serious, no deal has been done and now the London club have since signed another forward.

That meant the Blues’ looked like they were in pole position for the powerful forward if Chelsea did decide to sell. And, this rumour is part of a whole series as Everton are being linked with just about every one of their squad players.

However, the story has since gone cold and with a price tag of around £50 million now reportedly attached to Broja, it now seems as though Everton manager Frank Lampard might have switched his attention to another Stamford Bridge striker.

That player is Michy Batshuayi who has been with the West London club since signing for them in summer 2016.

The Belgian international has had a very chequered career since he moved to Chelsea and hasn’t convinced he can become a top level forward.

Bought to be potentially another Didier Drogba, Batshuayi hasn’t lived up to expectations or managed to command a regular place in Chelsea’s team under a succession of managers.

As a result, he has been on loan to various clubs including Crystal Palace and most recently Besiktas.

He scored fourteen times for the Turkish side last season, but has now returned once again to Chelsea.

Once again though without much hope of playing for them as he doesn’t seem to be in Thomas Tuchel’s plans either with the German looking to offload him permanently as his contract expires next year.

Well, if these reports of ongoing talks have any substance to them then it could be that Merseyside and Goodison Park is going to be the next destination for the wandering Belgian striker.