Atleti could turn to Batshuayi

Atletico Madrid may be ready to turn to Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi as their search for a No 9 continues.

Los Rojiblancos are hopeful of concluding a loan deal for Milan’s Croatian frontman Nikola Kalinic, yet with no agreement having materialised in the past two weeks they are now looking at alternatives – and Batshuayi is the latest name to be added to the list of candidates.

Marca claims Chelsea’s Oliver Giroud is the preferred option for Atleti boss Diego Simeone, but teammate Batshuayi, 24, has now entered the equation and the Spanish club’s board are understood to look favourably on the move, given he would arrive on an initial loan agreement.

Batshuayi is thought to fit the profile of what Diego Simeone wants from an Atleti player, after already proving himself on the European stage at Standard Liege, Marseille and Borussia Dortmund.

Even so, despite scoring 19 goals in all competitions for former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, he found himself behind Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata in the Italian’s plans, so is demanding assurances he will be much more involved if he is to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Any deal, however, will hinge on whether Atletico land Kalinic, who they have not given up hope of landing as they await his potential switch from Milan, while Gonzalo Higuain’s imminent move to the San Siro from Juventus is key to unlocking that transfer.

Tags Batshuayi Chelsea Giroud Simeone
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