Everton have been linked with Michy Batshuayi on multiple occasions over the years, from last January after his Valencia loan spell ended to before Chelsea when his career began to blossom with Marseille.
The Belgian has been wanted on Merseyside for some time but nothing ever came together. However, could January finally be the time for the Blues to make an approach?
Batshuayi has been restricted to a bit-part role at Stamford Bridge so far this season, with Frank Lampard preferring Tammy Abraham in the lone striker role.
The Belgium international has made five Premier League appearances this campaign, all of which were off the bench, scoring just the one goal.
With Everton having struggled for consistency up front, with Moise Kean yet to get off the mark and Dominic Calvert-Lewin not yet cutting a convincing figure, Batshuayi could be a wise signing to increase firepower.
The 26-year was fairly successful in his loan spell with Crystal Palace during the last six months of last season, and given that Mail Online are reporting that Roy Hodgson is keen to bring the forward back to Selhurst Park in January, Marco Silva could surely rival the Eagles for his signature.
The Mirror (via HITC) claim that Chelsea would be open to letting Batshuayi leave permanently for £22million in the winter window, and that is a price tag Everton could afford, particularly if Cenk Tosun is on his way out.
If the Turkey international leaves, Everton will be placing a lot of pressure on very young forwards, and Batshuayi could bring an additional element of European quality and experience to the squad.
If the former Marseille man was willing to join Palace in January last season too, you’d imagine he would have no problem joining a club in Everton’s position.
It remains to be seen who will be in charge by the time the winter window rolls by, with Marco Silva under plenty of pressure at this moment in time, but Batshuayi would certainly be someone who could help alleviate some of that pressure.
Everton need to be smart in the winter window, as it is a notoriously difficult time to do business. Batshuayi would likely represent a smart signing who could instantly improve the squad.
For a fairly affordable fee, Everton would be signing someone with Premier League and European experience who would be eager for a chance to prove his doubters wrong. It seems to me to be a deal that is definitely worth exploring.
