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Michy Batshuayi to Chelsea: Marseille striker 'expected to undergo medical' ahead of £33.2m move

The 22-year-old striker is not thought to be keen on a move to Crystal Palace

Mark Critchley
Wednesday 29 June 2016 08:53 BST
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Batshuayi scored in Belgium's 4-0 win over Hungary on Sunday
Batshuayi scored in Belgium's 4-0 win over Hungary on Sunday

Chelsea have entered the race to secure the services of Michy Batshuayi and have tabled a £33.2million bid for the Marseille striker, according to reports.

Batshuayi, who scored in Belgium’s 4-0 win over Hungary at the European Championships on Sunday, has attracted interest from around the continent in recent months.

Marseille accepted a £31.6m offer from Crystal Palace for Batshuayi on Monday but the player is not thought to be keen on the idea of moving to Selhurst Park.

According to The Guardian, Chelsea now look like the main contenders for Batshuayi’s signature and the 22-year-old striker will undergo a medical with the west London club once he is granted special dispensation to leave the Belgium squad.

Batshuayi, who scored 17 league goals last season, would become the first signing of Antonio Conte’s era at the club and fill one of Chelsea’s vacancies up front.

Following Radamel Falcao and Alexandre Pato’s returns to the parent clubs, Conte will be left with just Diego Costa, Loic Remy and Bertrand Traore as recognised strikers.

Although Batshuayi has turned down the chance to join Crystal Palace, his Marseille team-mate Steve Mandanda is expected to complete a Bosman move to the south London club this week.

Batshuayi may feature for Belgium in their European Championships quarter-final against Wales, to be held at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on Friday.

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